Claudio Roditi: Three for One (341)

Three for One is full of moonlight. For one thing, the combination of bass, piano, and trumpet creates an airy, open feel; for another, the material, all original except for the "Green Dolphin" warhorse, is light and lyrical. The trio consists of first-call Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi, a master of expressive understatement; prolific composer/pianist Klaus Ignatzek, who's worked with Joe Henderson, Dave Liebman, Bobby Watson, and others; and Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, the busiest bassist in Belgium, who played with Chet Baker for ten years and has toured with the likes of Michel Petrucciani, Toots, George Coleman, and Philly Joe Jones. Ignatzek wrote five of the tunes, Roditi four, including the swaying bossa "Sem Falar," on which he sings a chorus in the rough-voiced, soulful manner of old Brazil.

The trio glides together through Ignatzek's romantic tunes, like the haunting "Springdale" and "Sussex Garden," and the more angular, bop melodies by Roditi, like "Either Way" and "Christmas in Rio." The disc ends with the happy Caribbean-flavored "Avocado," with sprightly solos on bass and trumpet. With this trio's impeccable time, and Rassinfosse's strong walking lines, you won't miss the drums. Relaxing and thoughtful and full of genial energy, Roditi's latest is a refreshing change of pace from the usual trio format.

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