Mario Pavone: Orange

Bernstein and saxophonist Tony Malaby travel parallel lines on “Drop Op,” a tune that would be exceptional live where the two men might be tempted to cut each other from either side. Bernstein’s swaggering sensibility dominates “Burnt Sweet Orange,” as Pavone’s bass bubbles and pops in support, and “Goorootoo” inspires Malaby’s freest soloing on the disc. If poetry is the dialogue we have with ourselves, then Malaby’s introverted, implosive playing is remarkable free verse.

The music of the Nu Trio overflows with creative energy, and Madsen and Pavone pass the lead back and forth to each other, notes from the piano coming in a downpour, the bass hitting hard and low, Gerald Cleaver’s drums elastic and limber underneath. Augmented by Bernstein and Malaby on “Sky Tango (for T.C.),” the disc’s longest track, the melody insinuates itself cautiously before Malaby takes off, building his solo block by block as the trio fills in the crevices. Malaby gives way to Madsen, who is electrifying, followed by Pavone, who brings the song back with timely grace. On “Sky Tango,” and throughout Orange, the best of Pavone’s music, whether for trio or quintet, is on full display.

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