“Dream Archives” (ECM, out now), from pianist Craig Taborn’s trio, gives good examples. Mr. Taborn plays spare, rounded notes to begin its opening track, “Coordinates for the Absent.” The contours and dimensions of a more definite shape are sketched by lovely bowed tones from Tomeka Reid’s cello, glowing figures from Ches Smith’s vibraphone and electronically produced sounds: hazy halos that whisper of harmony; echoey, percussive clicks; wavering signals like distant radio transmissions. Especially when Mr. Taborn’s chords spill into watery tremolos, all this coheres. In less than six minutes, his group crafts no specific musical form but rather a well-defined drama.