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MEM3: Circles
ByCircles is a remarkably cohesive statement. Pianist Michael Cabe, bassist Mark Lau and drummer Ernesto Cervini craft a distinctive modern piano trio sound, full of gradual shifts in energy levels and momentums, interspersed with beautifully introspective reveries riding sublimely soulful grooves. Tune-smithing duties are shared equally, with one traditional tune slipped in: "Faith Of Our Fathers," a sound that conjures images, muted and slightly blurred, of sunlight diffusedthe shapes themselves softenedfrom a passage through the angular images of a church's stained glass window.
"For ES" (Esbjorn Svensson) is undiluted joy, understated initially, before bursting into a muscular momentum that fades back to delicacy atop a soft, relentless rhythm. "Centrical," the disc's opener, entices with the sublimely soft touch and charm of a delicately interactive trio. "Native Dancer" is a dark piano groove underlain by a feathery rhythmic backdrop. "Circles," the tune, is a buoyant bass groove riding a shimmering piano and a metronomic drum shuffle, enhanced by an (almost) subliminal electro-effects.
If MEM3 comes out of the e.s.t school of the modern piano approach, Circles, their sophomore effort, rises to the top of the classan enchanting and deceptively complex and straight-through compelling set of sounds.
And the sound should be mentioned. It has a remarkable clarity. It might be possible, just by listening, to count the bristles on drummer Cervini's well-employed brushes, on this set that can sit on the shelve next to the best of the modernistic piano trio outings.
Track Listing
Centrical; Native Dancer; Circles; Quiescent; Shire Song; Anthem; Faith Of Our Fathers; Olympic; 4ES; AFJ.
Personnel
Michael Cabe: piano; Mark Lau: bass; Ernesto Cervini: drums.
Album information
Title: Circles | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
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