by Paula EdelsteinWith the release of Spiral, the award-winning pianist\u002Fcomposer Hiromi Uehara stands at the threshold of limitless possibility. Her third trio recording in as many years finds her in the familiar company of drummerMartin Valihoraand bass playerTony Grey, but the CD itself goes beyond expectations. It features all original compositions, including the 28-minuteMusic for a Three-Piece Orchestra, a suite of four tracks -- Open Door\u002FTuning\u002FPrologue, Déjà Vu, Reverse, and Edge -- that spotlight Hiromi's formidable technique and impressive compositional skills. The suite was inspired by Hiromi's desire to expand the sound of her trio into orchestral spaces and to give her listeners an intense listening experience. By contrast, the highly energetic Return of Kung-Fu World Champion captures the essence of the trio in a smaller, jazz-rock fusion format that kicks with the same excitement as a martial arts tournament. The title track Spiral alternates between improvisation and carefully crafted jazz elements, while the delicate comping chords heard on Love and Laughter are a sure indication of jazz giantAhmad Jamal's positive influence as a mentor. Both songs beautifully captivate and induce your imagination to spiral toward the trio's interplay, flurry of notes, and aural qualities. Overall, Spiral exceeds the standards set by Hiromi's previous releases,Another MindandBrain, and should garner her a wider audience. [This Hybrid Disc edition features discreet, multi-channel surround in addition to both standard stereo and SACD-stereo playback.]