Tachoir / Manakas Duo - Improvised Thoughts - review by Ron Wynn - Nashville Scene - "Nashville vibist Jerry Tachoir and guitarist Van Manakas' current release Improvised Thoughts (Avita) will remind astute jazz listeners of the tasteful encounters between Gary Burton and Chick Corea, or between Burton and Keith Jarrett. Tachoir doesn't rattle off many clusters of notes or complex rhythms. Instead, he carefully explores the instrument, delivering soft, soothing melodies and brisk harmonies to contrast Manakas' fleeting, elegant phrases. The duo's exchanges aren't so much duets as sympathetic collaborations, with Manakas' fills and refrains crisply embellished by Tachoir's bright chords and solos." The Times - " Tachoir and Manakas have already proven themselves as seasoned, critically regarded artists, two of the brightest talents of the second generation of a style shaped by pianist Keith Jarrett, guitarist Pat Metheny and others." Jazz & Blues Society - "Musicians who create at such a high level of spontaneity and sophistication that it gets hard to tell what's written and what's improvised, make music like this: lovely music of depth and excitement that you can listen to over and over."