My Content
Membership has its privileges! Sign up or sign in to gain full access to both All About Jazz and Jazz Near You. Learn more.
Carlos Barba Trio: Lightyears
Stitching together a diverse blend of influences -classical, Latin, and experimental -the Carlos Barba Trio consistently engage and innovate on their new album Lightyears. While the Texas-based group is rooted in improvisation they never lose sight of accessible melodies, dynamic hooks, and emotional depth. This is cerebral jazz with a beating heart, introspective at times but never detached and incomprehensible. Barba is a gifted pianist with a poet's ear for instrumental dazzle.
"Bluebird" opens with thumping avant-garde clatter that eventually finds its path in Barba's silky smooth piano playing. The sounds that emanate from Barba's keys are downright gorgeous like the rising sun on the first day of summer. Erik Unsworth's hypnotic bass add layers of rhythmic depth. Just as evocative is "Labyrinth," which deserves its mysterious title from Barba's incandescent performance, whose piano flickers like light reflecting on a lake. It's a moody, dreamy track, one for late-night drives.
However, not everything on the album aims for a chill vibe. The rambunctious "There Is No Greater Love" captures the invigorating chemistry of Barba and his fellow musicians. Barba's electrifying piano, Unsworth's jamming bass lines, and Lawrence Brown's robust drums crackle with infectious enthusiasm. Their affection and attention to their craft simply sizzles, making this trio Lightyears better than many of their peers.
"Bluebird" opens with thumping avant-garde clatter that eventually finds its path in Barba's silky smooth piano playing. The sounds that emanate from Barba's keys are downright gorgeous like the rising sun on the first day of summer. Erik Unsworth's hypnotic bass add layers of rhythmic depth. Just as evocative is "Labyrinth," which deserves its mysterious title from Barba's incandescent performance, whose piano flickers like light reflecting on a lake. It's a moody, dreamy track, one for late-night drives.
However, not everything on the album aims for a chill vibe. The rambunctious "There Is No Greater Love" captures the invigorating chemistry of Barba and his fellow musicians. Barba's electrifying piano, Unsworth's jamming bass lines, and Lawrence Brown's robust drums crackle with infectious enthusiasm. Their affection and attention to their craft simply sizzles, making this trio Lightyears better than many of their peers.
Track Listing: Lightyears; Dreams; Bluebird; Labyrinth; Orange; The Lake; There Is No Greater Love.
Personnel: Carlos Barba: piano; Erik Unsworth: upright bass; Lawrence Brown: drums.
Title: Lightyears | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced
Tags
Related Video
Related Articles
Live ReviewsCopenhagen Jazz Festival 2018: The Community Series at...
by Henning Bolte
Published: August 19, 2018
Showcase
-
Encontros - Orquestra... by Antonio Adolfo
-
Family Feeling by Terell Stafford
Shop Amazon
Story of the Day
I love jazz because...jazz encompasses all. Jazz is freedom. It is the ultimate expressive musical conversation. I was first exposed to jazz as an infant. I grew up in a family of musicians. I first fell in love with jazz when listening to Ella Fitzgerald’s scat solo on “How High The Moon”. I met Dianne Reeves, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle and more... The best show I ever attended was...I can’t pick a best
Read more
By Ashleigh Smith
Member since: 2018
