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Frank Kimbrough: Frank Kimbrough 2003 - 2006
ByIn the middle of this, we find 2003's Lullabluebye and Play, both on Palmetto Records, a pair of trio recordings that are offered uprefreshed with terrific remix magicon Frank Kimbrough 2003 -2006.
Lullabluebye features Kimbrough joined by his long time running mates, bassist Ben Allison and drummer Matt Wilson. On Play he teams with then-new-to-the-scene bassist Masa Kamaguchi and the esteemed drummer Paul Motian, whoin the late-50s/early 60s Bill Evans' Trio with bassist Scott LaFarochanged the way the piano trio was approached, helping to bring an equilibrium of input into play for all concerned.
Both albums presented here capture Kimbrough's strengths for laying down beautiful, off-center melodies (the play list is heavy on Kimbrough originals), with quirky, playful tunes that lean toward the abstract, with strong melodic lines that keep them from quite going there. Paul Bley and Andrew Hill are often cited as influences on Kimbrough's art. Like Kimbrough, they both pushed the limits enough to nudge the music outside of the mainstream, just barely, adding the distinction of a surprise around every corner in their music.
Taking nothing away from Lullabluebye (an excellent piano trio set), it must be said that Play, with Paul Motian and Masa Kamaguchi, was, at the time it was release, Kimbrough's finest foray into the art of the trio. Motian always elevated the music with his distinctive drumming, and Kimbrough seemed quite inspired by him. It wasn't until 2016 with Kimbrough's Solistice (Pirouet Records), featuring drummer Jeff Hirshfield and bassist Jay Anderson, that a close rival for that top spot came around.
And the sound, spiffed up by Matt Balitsaris, Palmetto Records' boss man, is terrific, unveiling subtleties and nuances in the three-way interplay that were not as obvious in the original mixes. A fine tribute to Frank Kimbrough, who breathed so much life in Maria Schneider's Orchestra, and created his own outstanding but perhaps underappreciated discography.
Track Listing
Volume OneLullabluebye: Lullabluebye; Centering; Kid Stuff; Ode; Whirl; Ghost Dance; You Only Live Twice; FU BU; Ben's Tune; Eventualities. Volume Two Play: Beginning; The Spins; Lucent; Waiting In Santander; Conception Vessel; Jimmy; Play; Regeneration; Little Big Man; Beginning 2.
Personnel
Frank Kimbrough
pianoBen Allison
bass, acousticMatt Wilson
drumsMasa Kamaguchi
bass, acousticPaul Motian
drumsAlbum information
Title: Frank Kimbrough 2003 - 2006 | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Palmetto Records