The life-as-football-game metaphor is central to this stunning album from pianist Emilio Solla.

In 2012, Solla had an epiphany. He awoke to the realities of his existence, the finite nature of things, and the passage of time. He realized that he'd already played the first half of this game called life, working his way up and down the field while executing play after play. Now, in working his way into the second half, he's learned to play the game using the hard-earned wisdom gained during the first half to his advantage. And he's worked out some new scenarios in the playbook, too.

Some musicians tend to infuse too much nostalgia into their music as time comes off the clock, but Solla never falls into that trap. Instead, he uses everything at his disposal to make the plays, creating vibrant harmonic tapestries, peppy and playful passages, and beautifully wrought pieces of musical art. He's not afraid to turn reflective on occasion ("Para La Paz"), but he doesn't usually dwell on his thoughts; he prefers to move, in both senses of the word. There's passion at play, rhythmic sway, and a hearty heart beating around Second Half.

Solla paints his canvases with La Inestable de Brooklyn, a nonet that he built in 2010. Plenty of New York's top-flight players are part of this outfit, and each brings something unique to the table: Accordion whiz