Lets face it - this kind of music is like Marmite...you either love it or hate it. For those who love it this release is perhaps not going to be as instantly accessable as Janeks other releases. "Mystery to me" is a fantastic release and still, for me at least Janeks finest hour - but "The Space Between" is a "grower"..as in it gradually grabs & holds your attention. I wasnt sure whether to like it or not after a couple of plays but I constantly find myself playing it - which is a testament to its long term appeal.

There are some fantastic examples of top rate musicianship throughout, Jojo Meyer in particular asserting his impeccable groove on drums. Mike Stern does what Mike Stern does best on guitar, and Tim MIller, although an acquired taste, adds just enough of his slightly off the wall trademark sound. Oli Rockberger is missing, which is a shame but cest la vie...life goes on! Janek is on fire & blows the roof off with some great bass playing - but, as the title suggests, its when the group show restraint and leave open spaces in the arrangements that the listener is literally drawn into the atmosphere & can appreciate the subtle nuances that are aplenty. I guess what I am trying to say is that "The Space Inbetween" is not blighted by overplaying and lets the compositions speak & breathe for themselves.

I like Janek and I like this release a lot. Thoroughly recomended those who love modern Jazz & Marmite :-)

Ochle Brecker

This is Janek's first studio offering and I really like it. Fantastic bassplaying, but it doesn't really across as a "bass" album - there are some solos but always melodic and appropriate. At times quite metheny-like, at times more fusiony, it's quite eclectic with a fantastic core trio and some special guests, not least Mike Stern!

Betheny is a beautiful standout track for me that builds steadily throughout the piece, and the title track is classic Janek. My only negative points about this album is the lack of Oli Rockberger, one of my favourite musicians and some-time keyboardist/singer for Janek - but JG said in a clinic that the guitar quartet more closely resembles his musical vision.

At times I find Audun Waage's trumpet playing a little vague and effected for my liking - but Bob Reynolds kills it on the title track.

Buy it - at this price it's a steal for an eclectic, interesting, great album!