Giuseppe Millaci and the Vogue Trio: Double Portrait

There is a distinct, European elegance of invention practiced by double bassist Giuseppe Millaci and his Vogue Trio mates—pianist Amaury Faye and drummer Lionel Beuvens—that leaves a real good impression on us inelegant Americans.

Over the course of four albums for Hypnote Records—Songbook (2017), The Endless Way (2019), Interaction: Live At Flagey (2022), and now, with the road tested acrobatics of Double Portrait—the trio has established a patience and willingness to let the music go its own way in its own time and interpreting it as such.

Inspired by the solo recordings of Dave Holland, John Patitucci and Larry Grenadier, Millaci launches Double Portrait with the brief flurry of "Promeo," a multi-bass prelude that serves as an intro to the warmer encounter of "Where Everything Began." A gracious dance with Faye's elliptical figures lavishing in a seemingly hitherto unknown sense of calm as the music emerges at a fascinatingly teasing pace; circling around itself, returning as natural as the tide to the opening theme.

"Bad Fortune" holds to the theme of circular logics, but it is done with Faye's chordal jocularity, that makes the proceedings sound remarkably like a Vince Guaraldi outtake from his work with Snoopy and the gang. Then it doesn't. Off to another start. This one a bit more face forward as Beuvens sets the hectic pace. Then it is Guaraldi again. This track kicks.

A more urgent statement by Millaci encodes the title track. With its bravado snap and indigo groove, "Broustin Avenue" tells of mysteries afoot. With an energy and mind all its own, this episodic performance readily serves as one of Millaci's finest compositions and that it leads into the tempestuous "Storm" is just more bonus.

Fluid and adventurous takes on one of Bud Powell's crowning moments, "Time Waits," an anything-other-than-a-waltz go round on Waltz King Wayne Kings "Beautiful Love" are just, as an old cliche proves true, icing on the cake. Without hesitation, Double Portrait is easily Millaci's strongest and most rewarding recording to date.

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