Lafayette Gilchrist 3 CD

 if they only had a horn section...
I recently heard a take from this album (CD) on the radio, and it immediately grabbed my attention. The band is so tight it reminded me of Zappa's best bands at their best. The song structure (harmonic shading) and rhythmic unity (not exactly unison, but an implyed unity among bass, piano an' drums) makes this trio sound like it's the creative outflow of one musical brain (with complete understanding of music as a language, and instant access to the entire lexicon of modern musical idioms and genre. The piano speaks lead and converses with a virtuosical bass that interweaves and comes to the front whenever appropriate, at the same time (the piano) supplies a rich, nimble and creative harmonic expose, of which I can only describe as the petals of a flower blooming and unfolding with a crescendo of revelation. Each member of this trio knows exactly where they are and meet at polyrhythmic intervals a la Zappaesque. As a trio it is a little like The Bad Plus, but better, more fluid, mature, and less reckless but still goes "all the way" an excellent and well rehearsed band should aspire to jam to. I hope the other tracks knock me out as well because I'm going out to get this cd right now!
Submitted by dbrenergy (philadelphia PA)
Was This 3 Music Review Helpful? Yes No

Have you heard this album?