Recommended listening: Brad Mehldau "Highway Rider"

In 2002, pianist Brad Mehldau teamed up with pop producer Jon Brion to produce Largo - an incredibly influential jazz/rock crossover album that successfully combined spontaneous improvisation with pop production values.

Eight years later the two have reconvened to produce Highway Rider - a fifteen song double album featuring Mehldau's regular trio of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard augmented by saxophonistJoshua Redman, drummer Matt Chamberlin and a chamber orchestra.

The music melds the duo's previous jazz/pop hybrid with a decidedly classical influence featuring Redman's saxophone improvisations floating seamlessly over the top. My favorite music is the kind that takes me on a journey when I close my eyes, and this album certainly qualifies.

Take a listen for yourself - Highway Rider by Brad Mehldau