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John Roney Trio: Rate of Change
ByRevealing remarkable maturity for three players not yet in their thirties, this program of Roney originals draws from various sources, but it's largely informed by an ECM-like aesthetic. Recalling the freedom of pianist Bobo Stenson, "Inertia" builds gradually from a stasis that nevertheless has a distinct sense of melodic purpose, finally resolving into harmonic and rhythmic motion in its final minute. "Go" directly references British pianist John Taylor's "Clapperclowe," from drummer Peter Erskine's You Never Know (ECM, 1993), ultimately shifting into a solo section that swings harder than Erskine's more rarefied trio ever didat least on record.
The trio's ability to dig in a little harder distinguishes it from both Stenson's and Erskine's ECM recordings. And while the modernistic yet distinctive harmonic approaches of Stenson and Taylor are clear precedents, Roney also goes directly back to the source of both: Bill Evans. "Motivation" and its reprisal, "Re: Motivation," revolve around the three over four rhythm that was an Evans trademark. "Third Degree" is a more complex amalgam, its rhythmically-staggered head reminiscent of Brad Mehldau, but the minor blues of Roney's solo more direct. The contrapuntal classicism of the title track's theme also feels more Mehldau than Stenson, Taylor or Evans.
Still, while it's possible to pick out those who have influenced Roney, he's no mere imitator. Roney may be less densely-clustered than Taylor, less explicitly virtuosic than Mehldau, less abstract than Stenson and inherently more harmonically evolved than Evans. But pieces of each come together in a more immediate approach that also places a strong emphasis on clear form and a graceful lyricism that avoids the obvious.
The trio's deep chemistryevolved through time and working together in various musical contextsresults in simpatico moments that are often felt more than heard. Doxas is a particularly fluid, responsive and dynamic player who can be either explicitly propulsive or implicitly suggestive. Lobermore Haden than Hollandkeeps things simple during his few brief solos, but is all the more effective for it.
With nothing to prove, there's an appealingly subtle unpredictability at the core of Roney's trio. Rate of Change is a conversational encounter where a shared comfort level actually allows the trio to view nothing as off-limits.
Track Listing
Older Now; Motivation; Intertia; Go; Piano Segue; Don't Go; Rate of Change; Waitlessness; Re: Motivation; Third Degree.
Personnel
John Roney
pianoJohn Roney: piano; Zack Lober: acoustic bass; Jim Doxas: drums.
Album information
Title: Rate of Change | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Effendi Records