Mike Mainieri/Marnix Busstra Quartet "Twelve Pieces" (JazzChicago)

Steps Ahead founder and vibraphonist Mainieri is paired with Netherlands-based guitarist Marnix Busstra on this interesting release. Maineri and Busstra remind a bit of Gary Burton and Pat Metheny, but only in a passing manner, as they have their own sound and musical direction. Busstra is relatively unknown in the States, but this outing may serve to out him. He not only plays guitars, but bouzouki and electric sitar as well, which gives the group a folk/world music sound on numbers like "Old Fashion," "Don't Break Step, "Lost in Little Spain" and "Kannada." Meanwhile, Busstra's long-time rhythm section of Eric Van der Westen on acoustic bass and Pieter Bast on drums create a solid and sensitive foundation for their leaders. The pairing of vibraphone and guitar creates a dreamy atmosphere that moves from quiet pieces like "It's Done" and "Where Am I?" to the up-tempo folk dance of "Square Brown," mysterious "All in a Row" and satisfying melancholy of the acoustic jazz "The Same New Story."