- General Description: Peter Zak often uses flowing block chords and odd or Latin meters along with propulsive walking-bass swing. Zak describes his composition process as something “by turns challenging, intriguing, frustrating, and finally rewarding” and the value of the standard jazz repertoire “as springboards to improvisation and collective interaction. . . ” Every selection on this CD is written by a pianist.
– FCC Compliant: YES
– Recommended Tracks: 4, 9
1. (6:33) The Loop (Chick Corea) - moderate, very smooth waltz with a wispy theme, Zak adds a lyrical solo introduction
2. (5:51) Montserrat (Peter Zak) - fast, slick, actively punctuated with percussion, long drum solo
3. (7:19) Barfly (Elmo Hope) - moderate and schmoozy, like a low-lit bar in a jazz club, quiet bass solo
4. ***(6:05) Nutville (Horace Silver) - fast percussion under a minor-key bass accompaniment with the piano flying above, great drum solo
5. (4:08) Prelude Op. 35 #2 - adaptation of a minor-key Alexander Scriabin Prelude
6. (7:28) Requiem (Herbie Hancock) - not your usual dirge, short-phrase arabesques in the right hand are just lovely
7. (6:36) Jackie (Hampton Hawes) - swinging and fun
8. (7:25) Criss Cross (Thelonius Monk) - a Zak re-arrangement with echoes of Bill Evans
9. *****(6:45) Nightfall In Kandy (Peter Zak) - soft Sri Lanka inspired ballad that has a piano-bass unison line before unfolding with the piano using a delicate counterpoint solo
10. (6:57) The Disciple (Peter Zak) - fast and liquid, D flat-major waltz with a modal intro/interlude

JAZZ: PIANO TRIO
UC Berkeley products Peter Zak and Peter Washington team up for a fourth album together. It’s a classic piano-bass-drums jazz trio, with Willie Jones III completing the lineup. Three numbers are Zak’s own compositions; all the others are by famous pianists (see back cover).

All instrumental. No FCC issues.

1 * Mid-tempo. Delightful, half-improvised piano fantasy. Minimal bass & drums. (6:30)
2 Fast. Driving hard bob. Prominent drums with solo at the end. (5:49)
3 Slow. Mellow ballad. Perfect for a smoky nightclub and a scotch. (7:17)
4 ** Very fast, urgent. Forceful hard-bop. Great interplay by all three musicians. (6:02)
5 Slow. Classical (early 20C) piano solo. (4:05)
6 Mid-slow. Laid back and soulful. Piano & bass share melodies. Just a bit sleepy. (7:25)
7 * Fast. Bass is featured with extensive solos. (6:33)
8 ** Mid-fast. Catchy, toe tapper. Tricky, syncopated Thelonious Monk classic. (7:22)
9 Slow. Pastoral ballad. Piano & bass in unison at times. (6:42)
10 * Mid-fast. Good group interaction. The best of Zak’s compositions IMO. (6:58)