Pat Metheny

Pianist Brad Mehldau's gift for reimagining sophisticated pop songs has made him the Midas of post modern jazz -- and perfectly suited to revive the somewhat limp late career of guitarist Pat Metheny. This partnership is mutually beneficial, though; Mehldau's typically elegant soloing inspires some of Metheny's most invigorated bop riffs in years, but when Metheny pushes the arrangements a bit outside the box, as on the exotic minimalism of "The Sound of Water," the interplay is a delight.