Lovano/Crispell/Castaldi: Garden of Expression (ECM/digital outlets)

 |   |  <1 min read

Lovano/Crispell/Castaldi: Garden of Expression (ECM/digital outlets)

Sometimes billed as Trio Tapestry (or Joe Lovano Trio Tapestry), this triumviratee of jazz talent (saxophonist Lovano, pianist Marilyn Crispell an drummer Carmen Castaldi) on this second album for ECM epitomise both the mature elegance and the exploratory freedom these players are capable of across eight originals by the nominal leader.

Because of the lightness of Castaldi's touch on the openers Chapel Song and Night Creatures (the latter opening with beautiful understatement by Crispell), there is a weightless quality at work.

However with the midnight-blue ballad West of the Moon and the darker title track, the moods become deeper and more shadowy, and Treasured Moments at the midpoint is ethereal, slightly suspenseful chamber-jazz.

Although this is improvised music, the players have such a sure sense of melodic invention and respectful, quiet interplay that these pieces become journeys for listeners prepared to free themselves from the bonds of expectation and simply enjoy the passage.

The 10-minute Zen Like at the end is often so spare it is barely there.

A beautiful album.

.

You can hear this album at Spotify here


Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Jazz at Elsewhere articles index

CHRIS BOWDEN (2002): His slightly askew career

CHRIS BOWDEN (2002): His slightly askew career

Sometimes reviewers find words lifted from their articles as a banner for promotion. Film companies seem the main offenders in this: l’ve sometimes written unfavourable reviews of a... > Read more

Dee Dee Bridgewater: Red Earth, A Malian Journey (Universal)

Dee Dee Bridgewater: Red Earth, A Malian Journey (Universal)

Just last week I was saying to a friend that Mali was starting to feel like the new Jamaica. Consider the number of artists whose names are becoming familiar: the late Ali Farka Toure and now his... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Simone Felice

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Simone Felice

The surname gives it away for lovers of Americana. Simone Felice was one of the much acclaimed band The Felice Brothers whose 2007 album Tonight at the Arizona was a best of Elsewhere selection,... > Read more

EPs by Yasmin Brown: Asgeir, Abby Wolfe, Nidala, Silk Cut

EPs by Yasmin Brown: Asgeir, Abby Wolfe, Nidala, Silk Cut

With so many CDs commanding and demanding attention Elsewhere will run this occasional column by the informed and opinionated Yasmin Brown. She will scoop up some of those many EP... > Read more