“Hou’s accordion creates a breathy mix of horn and keyboard, along with an irresistible sense of rhythm. Hou develops a subtly modern groove in his playing that offers more flexibility to this duet project.

Larsen’s trumpet playing is full of joy and melody. Even the darker, minor key songs have more than their fair share of silver lining.

Album opener “Early Days,” written by Larsen, evokes Charlie Chaplin silent movie romance – innocent and full of love. Hou provides swaying support for Larsen’s waltzing melody, eventually offering a beautiful solo of his own.

Among the album’s six original compositions, Hou’s seasonal “Forgotten Pumpkin” has a melancholy sound fitting for the soggy days of autumn.

“Rosanna’s Song” was written for Hou’s wife, as comfortably romantic as a lazy weekend sleeping in late. A tune for a very different household friend, “Jimney” is a rascally puzzle of a song in honor of the squirrel that made his home briefly in Hou’s chimney.

Larson's song “Iridescent” is a composerly number recalling the trumpeter’s collaborations in the folk-jazz trio Tyrant Lizard. “No Hurry No Worry” was titled for a road sign Larsen spotted while traveling in Bhutan. It’s the album thoughtful closer, wrapping up Bloom with a meditative theme that allows for delicate improvisation from both musicians.

Bloom also includes a bouncy version of the jazz standard “Flamino,” a pensive reading of Erik Satie’s “Gnossiene No. 1” and the surprising pop energy of “Little Bug.” Hou’s lightly funky hopping accordion and Larsen’s lilting lines give a Burt Bacharach feeling to this cover of a huge hit for Mandopop star Khalil Fong.

Hou and Larsen have created another unique collection of tunes that are much more accessible than any preconceptions of accordion and trumpet combos might suggest.” - Abe Beeson, KNKX