JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Toccatas & Inventions (2 CDs). Glenn Gould, piano THE BEATLES: Revolver. BEN MONDER: Excavation. SCRIABIN: Etudes and Sonatas. Vladimir Horowitz, piano MESSIAEN: Catalogue d'oiseaux. HÃ¥kon AustbÃş, piano THE OSCAR PETERSON TRIO: Night Train. HERMETO PASCOAL: Brasil, Universo. LENNIE TRISTANO: The New Tristano. STEVIE WONDER: Fulfilligness' First Finale FARAMARZ PAYVAR & ENSEMBLE: Persian Classical Music.

Released in January 2002, Finnish-born composer & pianist Mika Pohjola’s seventh album Landmark with his current working group MikaSonik "is a dedication to the beautiful spirit of New York City" Pohjola says. "There is a certain drive for pushing boundaries here," he explains. "And I would rather say pushing boundaries than breaking rules because the rule, whether it’s an observation, assumption or theory, is from the past. So if you’re breaking the rule the best you can do is come to that state of today. However, pushing boundaries is more like observing what is going on and trying to take it a little further." With Ben Monder (gtr), Miguel Zenon (sax), Fernando Huergo (bs), Roberto Dani (dr) and Johanna GrÃŒssner (voices) Pohjola has assembled a crackling, flexible crew that can easily run the gamut from odd-metered Zappa-esque romps to soothing, romantic ballads, from Passport-ish fusion vehicles to 4th century Gregorian hymns, from lilting lullabies to searing rock-fueled jams, from evocative, cinematic themes to scintillating Swedish vocalese. While much of the music here is quite demanding, this skilled unit navigates Pohjola’s tricky meters and intricate unison lines with seasoned aplomb. And though it may be strictly composed and meticulously arranged material, there is still plenty of room within these structures for the soloists to blow. With Landmark, Pohjola strikes an appealing balance between heady architecture and heartfelt improvisation. ­ Bill Milkowski

Visit Mika's website at http://www.mikapohjola.com/.