Petros Klampanis: Irrationalities

You'd expect a strong pulse on Irrationalities by bassist Petros Klampanis. What comes as a beautiful surprise is the diversified approach he utilizes in his compositions and performance. Not that we don't hear a variety of approaches on he previous outings. Both Chroma (Minos-EMI, 2017) and Minor Dispute (Inner Circle Music, 2015) concentrated on a chamber sound with string ensembles. Here Klampanis pares down his expression to the a simple trio.

A piano trio maybe actually be the ultimate test of composition and performance, as an equilibrium between performers is a must. Here we have a United Nations trio with a Greek leader, an Estonian-born pianist Kristjan Randalu and a Polish-born drummer Bodek Janke performing a mixture of New York jazz, Mediterranean and Balkan music. With these multiple touchstones, expect a variety of sounds.

The bright opener "Easy Come Easy Go" is a frisky number, Randalu sounding a bit like Chick Corea before the melody is captured in Klampanis' solo. The trio switches gears applying a nostalgia with the Greek kalamatiano rhythm "Seeing You Behind My Eyes" which germinates into an impassioned conclusion. The title track opens with multi-track vocals that break into groove before featuring Randalu's piano which is wrapped within the infectious groove generated by Klampanis and Janke. In between tracks, the interludes "Temporary Secret II & III" play off the international nature of the musicians, the music, and place. With the trio's bona fides established, the highlights follow. The standout tracks here are two covers, the gentle Greek ballad "Thalassa Platia" and "Blame it On My Youth." Both are strong evidence these three musicians have an affinity to the music of the Bill Evans trio, the version with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. Yeah, it's that good.

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