In the Pocket! Best Piano Trio Recording in a Long Time
Christian Artmann | New York | 06/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For a while now Laszlo Gardony has started to integrate elements of gospel, rock and funk into his music. Listen for example to his recordings "Ever Before Ever After" (particularly the title track) and "Natural Instinct" (title track, "Revolution" etc.). Other piano trios also have been crossing over into popular music forms (such as rock or hip hop) - Brad Mehldau, Robert Glasper, Jason Moran and Ethan Iverson come to mind.
For me there have been three outcomes, from bad to good: (1) it doesn't work at all, doesn't groove, doesn't swing; (2) it works and is interesting but somehow seems artificial and not quite honest; (3) it really works and creates a new direction for the music.
Laszlo's new recording squarely falls into category (3). While his CDs "Ever Before Ever After" and "Natural Instinct" still impressed me mostly with their wonderful reharmonizations and spectacular soli (rather than the gospel/rock/funk influences), in "Dig Deep" it's the groove that reigns supreme. Yes, there are rich harmonies and very interesting progressions (it's Laszlo after all!), but they serve to refresh and intensify the groove rather than being an end in themselves.
There are many highlights on this disc. Critics will probably write most about the arrangement of "Summertime" given that the standard provides a good look at how much this music has developed. This is a killer version: it makes your head bump, it makes you want to dance. The groove is deeply in the pocket and makes you sort of travel along - reminiscent of some of Wes Montgomery's music. Amazing that after having been played a million times and more this tune could sound SO good and SO fresh!
The originals are no less cool: check out "Sunday Afternoon", a lazy, warm groove with a big southern smile on the surface and lots of depth and soul (and a surprising sense of melancholy) below. Or "Heavy" - a pretty convincing answer to anyone wondering whether a sophisticated piano trio can rock. Oh yes, and how!
My personal favorite is "New Song". The repetitive bassline puts you in a trance, the melody is so simple and pure and the piano sings with a rarely heard beauty. The total opposite of artificial conservatory jazz. There is something essential and true about this tune and this recording of it. It is not a description of reality (like most art) - no, this simple little tune is the "real deal".
Gardony and his trio are onto something pretty important with this recording. One of the qualities many of us admire in great and revolutionary artists like Miles Davis or Paul Gauguin is their ability (and willingness) to get right down to the essence, to cut out anything that is not necessary, to pursue honesty and truth rather than technique or effect. That is exactly what is happening on "New Song".
This recording is for all those who feel young in their hearts."
Piano rythm
Linda Kidder | Palinda | 03/13/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I am a percussionist and love this CD because of the percussive rythms of the piano. It is very soothing!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1