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Bradley Williams / Eric Hochberg / Jim Widlowski: 3
ByThe collaborative nature in the play is underlined by the fact that the three are rarely heard in isolation. Apart from the delicate piano miniature of "Twilight Prelude" and Hochberg's pretty solo vignette, "little 'e,'" there are barely more a few seconds of drum improvisation here and there when the others lay out. When piano is flowing, drums and bass never let go of Williams' tail; similarly, even on the most intimate bass soloswith Hochberg releasing a few notable onesflickering piano, and cymbals as quiet as gently ticking clock are almost never absent.
Gently undulating improvisational waves ebb and flow throughout these compositions, though in lieu of overtly lead lines there is, rather, a sense of subtle shifts in the balance of the trio, such as on "Penultimatum" and "The Garden." Three distinct voices are ever at play, sometimes in disciplined unison, but more usually in independent, interweaving patterns whose aim is the higher goal of a collective voice. The more traditional "For Crowley" is evocative of a charmingly lazy Duke Ellington blues; rhythmically loping, Williams casts tumbling lines between shorter phrases and there's a lovely lightness of step in the trio's gait.
The distinctive melody and vibe of "In the Delta Valley" leans towards the classical piano jazz of yore; walking bass and ride cymbal stoke the trio's engine as Williams stretches out, followed in turn by Hochberg. Both musicians boast terrific chops, but never at the expense of the narrative, which with this trio is essentially soulful and melodic. The trio juggles and flirts with yet another pretty melody on "Waiting...Waiting...," shaped by a repeating piano motif and gorgeous bass line, though Widlowski's inventive, light touch significantly defines the tune's folds and contours.
The grooving, celebratory New Orleans-esque shuffle of "Clybourn Strut" is followed by Hochberg's quietly rhapsodic "Song for Sarah." This lyrical gem might have made a better closing trio statement then the bop-inspired "Plumb Bob"; whilst exuding plenty of energy, this tune, tossed around between the musicians, has more the feel of a rousing first set closer. This, however, is a minor criticism which fails to detract from a fine recording where three musicians on one wavelength produce elegant, timeless sounds.
Track Listing
Twilight Prelude; Penultimatum; The Garden; For Crowley; Fish Samich; In The Delta Valley; Waiting... Waiting...; little "e"; Before Fall; Clybourn Strut; Song For Sarah; Plumb Bob.
Personnel
Bradley Williams
pianoBradley Williams: piano; Eric Hochberg: bass; Jim Widlowski: drums.
Album information
Title: 3 | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: 21st Century Entertainment
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