Max Johnson - The Invisible Trio (2014) {Fresh Sound New Talent}

Max Johnson - The Invisible Trio (2014) {Fresh Sound New Talent}

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© 2014 Fresh Sound New Talent | FSNT 438

Jazz / Free Improvisation / Avant-Garde Jazz

I wondered for a brief moment whether the title referenced the Trinity, but suspect that this music comes from a different place. There’s a dark, almost Hebraic quality to the bassist’s writing and the trio, far from being invisible, is strongly foregrounded at all times. This is a challenging format, though Johnson’s bowed figures and strong, throbbing solos make up for the lack of a harmony instrument. The Pretzel is a nicely salty, twisted line that gets the three voices working together. The title track is a mournful-sounding horn chorale over singing bass harmonics. Moving Vehicle is light, mobile bop and sparks a great solo from Ravitz. The leader opens A Pair Of Glasses with a bass exposition that is less theme statement than premature solo: a lovely touch. The others veer between upbeat and atmospheric. The effect is similar to Paul Smoker’s early trio recordings but without the Midwesterner’s pleasantly professorial mien. I don’t know whether Don Wrinkles alludes to Don Rickles, but it’s a nice generic term for this strand of jazz. Johnson is just one of a run of fine bassist / composer / leaders around at the moment, many of them brought to notice by Fresh Sound. Jordi Pujol seems to have open and responsive ears for the lower frequencies. Personnel: Kirk Knuffke – Cornet Max Johnson – Bass Ziv Ravitz – Drums tracklist: 01 - The Pretzel 02 - Bizza 03 - Held for Questioning 04 - Don Wrinkles 05 - The Invisible Trio 06 - Moving Vehicle 07 - A Pair of Glasses 08 - The Golem