Album Review
Whether the title of this album, the performing group's name, or its leader's surname have additional meaning is positively irrelevant because this performance is a winner. It is a bassist-led trio album offering engaging sonic textures which spin and entice throughout.
The title cut sends things into up-tempo action with Justin Kauflin's keyboard sounding the call. Highly rhythmic and intense, the energies build as the trio exhibits a superb interplay of ideas. "Lorac Waltz" gives us a triple-metered melody which not only its mirrored-titled person, "Carol," but Bill Evans' "Debby" would like. It is a platform of laid-back textures where the playing of these three fine musicians is sensitive, focused and swinging. Brydge is a muscular bassist with a great sound and total command of his instrument throughout this track and the entire date. Kauflin, a protégé of Master Clark Terry, plays with supreme confidence and maturity here. His playing since his work with Terry has matured and places him now in top-tier keyboard circles. Drummer-percussionist Emra Katari is a musical rhythm- maker indeed, certainly one of the most musical players heard in a long while.
The trio is wonderfully symbiotic on the theme-developed burner, "Wistful Gaze." It is the most intense track on the album. The back- and-forth between keys, bass and drums is relentless. Brydge is a rock, driving with intensity, and goosing his playmates along brilliantly. "Remembering the Rain" is the only non-original on the session (all others are Brydge originals). The beautiful, impressionistic prelude gives way to a fine interpretation of the Bill Evans ballad. Kauflin's Rhodes is absolutely killer. The melodic lines drip from his fingers and are countered by outstanding cymbal and set-work from Katari and tasteful Brydge support.
A second take—not an alternate take musically—of "Crossing the Water" ends the session and is presented with such flair that, if the melody were not the same as Track 1, one could swear it stands completely on its own, which it does. Crossing the Water is certainly one of the better albums of any ensemble-size encountered in 2020. It is a sublime, brilliantly-performed "Brydge and Team" over our troubled 2020 waters. Pay the toll. This crossing is worth it.
Since 1995, shortly after the dawn of the internet, All About Jazz has been a champion of jazz, supporting it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
Left of Center: Crossing the Water
The title cut sends things into up-tempo action with Justin Kauflin's keyboard sounding the call. Highly rhythmic and intense, the energies build as the trio exhibits a superb interplay of ideas. "Lorac Waltz" gives us a triple-metered melody which not only its mirrored-titled person, "Carol," but Bill Evans' "Debby" would like. It is a platform of laid-back textures where the playing of these three fine musicians is sensitive, focused and swinging. Brydge is a muscular bassist with a great sound and total command of his instrument throughout this track and the entire date. Kauflin, a protégé of Master Clark Terry, plays with supreme confidence and maturity here. His playing since his work with Terry has matured and places him now in top-tier keyboard circles. Drummer-percussionist Emra Katari is a musical rhythm- maker indeed, certainly one of the most musical players heard in a long while.
The trio is wonderfully symbiotic on the theme-developed burner, "Wistful Gaze." It is the most intense track on the album. The back- and-forth between keys, bass and drums is relentless. Brydge is a rock, driving with intensity, and goosing his playmates along brilliantly. "Remembering the Rain" is the only non-original on the session (all others are Brydge originals). The beautiful, impressionistic prelude gives way to a fine interpretation of the Bill Evans ballad. Kauflin's Rhodes is absolutely killer. The melodic lines drip from his fingers and are countered by outstanding cymbal and set-work from Katari and tasteful Brydge support.
A second take—not an alternate take musically—of "Crossing the Water" ends the session and is presented with such flair that, if the melody were not the same as Track 1, one could swear it stands completely on its own, which it does. Crossing the Water is certainly one of the better albums of any ensemble-size encountered in 2020. It is a sublime, brilliantly-performed "Brydge and Team" over our troubled 2020 waters. Pay the toll. This crossing is worth it.
Track Listing
Crossing the Water I, Lorac Waltz, Wistful Gaze, Remembering the Rain, Crossing the Water II
Personnel
Chris Brydge: bass, acoustic; Justin Kauflin: piano; Emre Kartari: drums.
Album information
Title: Crossing the Water | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Self Produced
FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ
Since 1995, shortly after the dawn of the internet, All About Jazz has been a champion of jazz, supporting it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to rigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.About Chris Brydge
Instrument: Bass, acoustic
Article Coverage | Calendar | Albums | Photos | Similar ArtistsTags
Showcase
Contest Giveaway
Eligible winners: 1
Days remaining: 17
Days remaining: 17
