Tyshawn Sorey Trio: Mesmerism

To say that Mesmerism by the Tyshawn Sorey Trio is a departure from the drummer's regular programming is an understatement. Rather than perform his own compositions, he has assembled this trio to perform some jazz classics and standards. Sorey only held a brief rehearsal before recording this studio session. Typically, he prefers intricate arrangements and repeated run-throughs before documenting his ensembles. Here he relies on pianist Aaron Diehl and bassist Matt Brewer's ingrained knowledge of standards and musical instincts. Diehl is certainly qualified to fill this piano seat with his elegant touch. Although he was born in 1985, his sound is from a bygone era. Brewer is another heavy swinger, evidenced by his recent releases as a leader, and work with Sorey in Steve Lehman's ensemble.

Given a blindfold test, one might misidentify this trio as that of Hank Jones or maybe even Tommy Flanagan, both supreme compliments to Sorey and company. Blues feel and swing are paramount with the music. Duke Ellington's "Rem Blues" (only available on the CD and streaming version) oozes with a hypnotic ching-a-ling swing, Brewer's bass solo is like an evangelizing preacher. Sorey's vision, to perform the music in a straight-ahead manner, brings to the forefront the grandeur of compositions such as Horace Silver's "Enchantment" and "Autumn Leaves," with hints of Bill Evans's contribution to trio music; the trio reveals a vulnerable, gentle approach to their performance. The only deconstructed version heard here is Paul Motian's "From Time To Time," where the trio moves from abstraction to concrete melody.