Released in late 2012, Listen Both Ways is the third Playscape label album from drummer George Schuller's Circle Wide, following 2003's Round 'Bout Now and 2008's Like Before, Somewhat After, homages to particular eras of Miles Davis and Keith Jarrett, respectively. The album's opening track, the 11-and-a-half-minute "Could This Be the Year?," begins with easygoing strumming from guitarist Brad Shepik; his chords are folky but upon the entrance of Schuller, bassist Dave Ambrosio, vibraphonist Tom Beckham, and especially tenor saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum (replacing previous saxophonist Donny McCaslin), the listener is instantly transported to another place. The pace remains relaxed and you might still anticipate the likes of a Tim Buckley or Nick Drake to step up to the mike, but when the intro vamp ends, the tune's breezy melody, gentle swing, open harmonics, and glistening timbres enhanced by Beckham's vibraphone mark this as creative jazz of the most appealing sort. There is an understated quality not only here but in "Newtoon" and the subtle read of Carla Bley's "Jesus Maria" (a number played by the Jimmy Giuffre 3 in the early '60s), both of which feature Apfelbaum on melodica rather than saxophone. The latter tune is gentle as a lullaby as Apfelbaum embraces the melody with a tone pitched somewhere between Toots Thielemans' harmonica and a strolling café accordionist.

1		Could This Be the Year?
2		Store Without a Name
3		Better Than Prozac
4		Edwin
5		Jesus Maria
6		A Map Would Help
7		Newtoon
8		Bed Head

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