Strange Lands is mainly a showcase for New York tenor sax virtuoso Nicole Glover’s working trio with bassist Daniel Duke and drummer Nic Cacioppo (JD Allen’s drummer of choice). Four of the tunes, however, feature eminent pianist George Cables, who inspires the group with his deep harmonic sense, just as they inspire him with their youthful intensity. The Cables/Glover duet on Billy Strayhorn’s “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing” is a high point. Cole Porter’s “I Concentrate on You” ends the record with the full quartet in fine swinging mode. Produced by trumpet great Jeremy Pelt, Strange Lands also features strong writing by the trio members: Glover and Duke co-wrote the ripping, uptempo title track and the more restrained but equally adventurous “The Twilight Zone”, while Cacioppo contributed “Parks” and “The Switch”. The tight, sinewy trio interaction, and Glover’s risk-taking improvisations, make Strange Lands one of the standout jazz efforts of 2021.