For thousands of years across all cultures, lullabies have existed in one form or another as a way to soothe, cajole or even threaten a child to sleep. Jazz versions of lullabies are nothing new of course, but on this exquisite collection, Italian pianist Lorenzo De Finti (accompanied by longtime friend, trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso, on six of the nine tracks) creates something more original: no swinging ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb's here – instead he mixes his own reflective compositions with a fragment of Stravinsky (‘Andante’ from Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra), a traditional Venezuelan folk song and a wonderful solo acoustic piano rendition of Chick Corea's ‘Crystal Silence’.

The result is poignant, even soothing, but never twee or slumber-inducing: instead the listener is rewarded with music of real precision, intellectual rigour and emotional heft. You’d have difficulty getting to sleep after listening to this – quite simply, you’ll want to put the album on again. De Finti truly understands the concept of space and the power of silence. Bosso is the perfect partner for his explorations – not only does the trumpeter know when (and when not) to move into the space created by the pianist, but his tone is always spot-on, his phrasing extraordinarily expressive and the two musicians are engaged in a kind of dialogue-cum-boxing match as they flit and spar with each other. Like a dream without sleep, Lullabies From An Unknown Time is unusual – and compelling – enough to demand that you investigate.