John Beasley, Jose Gola & Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez: El Trio Live in Italy

El Trio Live in Italy features the impressive line-up of Grammy Award-winner John Beasley on keyboards and synthesizers, Jose Gola on electric bass, and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums. Described as a "dream threesome" of renowned musicians, this album is a product of their summer tour of Italy in 2022. The album's essence is a journey of three friends allowing the music to guide them. All three artists have a rich history, having toured with the maestro of Afro-Cuban jazz, Chucho Valdés, who also penned the testimonial on the marketing sheet.

The music is a feverish mix of Cuban grooves combined with a '70s jazz-rock flavor, displaying the individual talents of these prestigious musicians. John Beasley casts a vivacious and dynamic style reminiscent of Joe Zawinul.

They kick things off with "Preludio Di Trio" which is a short track, featuring Beasley's swarming synth chords with warm overlays and the drummer's swishing cymbals. Throughout, Hernadez is a one-man percussion ensemble, abetted by the bassist's agile, fluent lines. The band generates a flamboyant and, at times, grandiose persona, awash with alternating Afro-Cuban grooves, and melodic solos which circumnavigate the primary themes.

On "En 4" Beasley uses a flute-based synth setting atop a spicy Latin pulse, countered by Gola's sinewy passages. And they dish out a vibrant and succinct take on Wayne Shorter's "Elegant People," derived from his time with Weather Report. In other spots, they beef up ballads with up-tempo breakouts. However, Gola takes center stage during "Bass Solo Interlude," distinguished by his lyrical notes, deft picking, and application of chord-based harmonics. This track leads into "Timbeando," which is an intense jam, highlighted by Beasley's rapid-fire synth patterns and an expanding undercurrent leading to bop and a few Miles Davis quotes.

This album encapsulates the cultural fusion that characterizes El Trio's music, emphasizing the unifying power of their work while leaving listeners with a feeling of connection, and anticipation for future encounters.