ORCHESTRION

My first album by Pat so I cannot compare, however this album seems like obvious choice for me. Because as someone not so used to listen Jazz, being not revolutionary enough is actually big advantage for me. Being easy to listen and still offer a lot of interesting sounds, even not necessarily complex can be good.

If new means contemporary then yes, this may be advocate, representative album of modern Jazz. Not Prog at all costs, but Jazz for sure. And when compared to some normal "jazzy" tunes that just uses skeletal pattern of what Jazz is, then this is if not progressive then at least Prog.

The fact the Pat Metheny plays all instruments alone is remarkable, one would easily say that this is real life (5-6 members) band. Nostalgia element is also prominent here and it adds to my liking of this.

4(+), not so sure about Prog here (I've leave it be to Prog or Jazz experts), but very likable album that will find its fans.