After a series of releases paying tribute to his mentors, keyboard player Orrin Evans reasserts his own bold identity on Flip the Script (Posi-Tone). His new trio features bassist Ben Wolfe and drummer Donald Edwards, both matches for Evans in sensitivity and strength. The disc features a half-dozen originals, from the strident blues of “Big Small” to the tender melancholy of “When,” alongside four covers. Evans gives his regular nod to his hometown, as well as the late Don Cornelius, on Gamble & Huff’s Soul Train theme, and gets downright celebratory on Luther Vandross’ “A Brand New Day” from The Wiz. —Shaun Brady
