CRAIG TABORN TRIO: Chants
ECM, 2013

MODERN JAZZ – Great sound from pianist Taborn at the head of a hard-hitting rhythmic trio that can also loosen all the ropes and drift freely. Taborn’s analytical, pointillist style makes each note stand out separately in the upbeat, chugging numbers, but then he’s lovely and deeply expressionistic in the dark, bittersweet, shape-shifting tone poems that make up the second half. Yep, there’s a lot to chew on here.

Craig Taborn : piano
Thomas Morgan : bass
Gerald Cleaver : drums

All good. Fo’s Picks: 1, 4, 5, 9

1. 5:24 – complex raindrop patterns; a hard groove becomes open & shifting
2. 4:05 – tight, suffocating spiral: breaks down in middle, piano runs with it
3. 8:23 – delicate, open ballad slowly expands, dark brooding piano, nice bass
4. 3:54 – tense, pulsing rhythm: piano in self-dialogue and running threads
5. 12:48 – abstracted ballad intro, a bold midtempo theme dissolves into fragile waterfalls and turbulent streams, energy ebbs and flows
6. 7:10 – atmospheric percussive rustling; slow, heavy mood from piano/bass
7. 7:38 – a deep ache & rising tension: trembling melody & low drum rumble
8. 8:26 – wide open, slow trio balances sound & silence, tragic feel, bass solo
9. 6:57 – atmospheric drums and dark, repetitive piano spiral, rises and cracks

[ Fo ] - 12 May 2013