British pianist David Gordon's second trio date for Zah Zah is as impressive as his recording debut. Once again featuring bassist Ole Rasmussen and drummer Paul Cavaciuti, the trio explores a refreshing mix of potent originals and time-tested standards. Gordon's opener "Bluesli" is primarily a post-bop vehicle that confounds listeners with its sudden changes in tempo and direction. The exciting "Dozen a Day" was actually inspired by Gordon's going over some piano exercises, while Cavaciuti composed the slightly wistful ...
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British pianist David Gordon's second trio date for Zah Zah is as impressive as his recording debut. Once again featuring bassist Ole Rasmussen and drummer Paul Cavaciuti, the trio explores a refreshing mix of potent originals and time-tested standards. Gordon's opener "Bluesli" is primarily a post-bop vehicle that confounds listeners with its sudden changes in tempo and direction. The exciting "Dozen a Day" was actually inspired by Gordon's going over some piano exercises, while Cavaciuti composed the slightly wistful "Waltz for J." The trio's interpretations of well-known warhorses are very fresh. "My Romance" is an excellent feature for Rasmussen, while the jaunty take of "Caravan" is far more playful than one would expect. "Just One of Those Things" showcases the drummer's crisp brushwork in a tribute to Gene Krupa. The mix of island rhythms, bop, and swing makes "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing" self-explanatory. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi
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