John Donaldson knew fellow pianist Bheki Mseleku (1955–2008) as a friend and inspiration in the South African's final decade, and toured England and Scotland with him shortly before his premature death, so this album, on which Donaldson and a tight, responsive band (completed by tenor player Ian Price, bassist Simon Thorpe and drummer Tristan Banks) address eight Mseleku compositions, is a personal as well as musical tribute. In Jon Lusk's obituary in the Independent, 'melodicism and rhythmic sophistication' and an ability to assimilate a broad variety of musical styles are listed as Mseleku's great strengths, but his 'strong spiritual leanings' are also mentioned, a feature Donaldson himself refers to, recalling that Mseleku 'lived a life dedicated to his music and spiritual journey'. Nearer Awakening is thoroughly imbued with all these qualities, whether the band is romping through the appropriately titled opener, 'Joy', or addressing more meditative material; Mseleku's music is deceptively accessible, its apparently untroubled, jauntily ebullient or even its thoughtfully musing surfaces concealing unexpected depths, both musical and emotional, and Donaldson and his band address it with suitable gravitas, grace and sensitivity. 'A challenge and a joy' is Donaldson's own assessment of Mseleku's music, and with his robust but elegant and refined playing flawlessly propelled by Thorpe (a member of Mseleku's band in its later years) and Banks, and tellingly complemented by the muscular but considered tenor of Price, he has produced an album that is both compelling in its own right and a fitting tribute to a fine composer and multi-instrumentalist. Chris Parker's review at www.vortexjazz.co.uk/cd-reviews/nearer-awakening.