Peter Erskine: Peregrine

Drummer Peter Erskine, who began his productive career with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the last century, is a master craftsman who is comfortably at home in groups large or small. Along the way, he has recorded more than forty-five albums as leader or co-leader of various ensembles, always embracing his assignment with proficiency and taste.

On Peregrine, Erskine is in a trio setting with a pair of gifted colleagues, pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Scott Colley, performing what Erskine describes as "a collection of tributes." There are eleven in all, including four written by Pasqua and three by Erskine. Keith Jarrett wrote "Bop Be," Brian Wilson and Tony Ascher penned "God Only Knows," Phoebe Snow 's contribution is"Poetry Man," Jimmy Webb wrote the oft-repeated "Wichita Lineman."

The trio welcomes three guests: vocalist Kate Lamont and percussionist Brian Kilgore  on "Poetry Man," and saxophonist Bob Sheppard, tenor on that number and alto on Erskine's fiery flag-waver, "Leaving LA." Lamont sings quite well, with clarity and emotion, underlining Sheppard's articulate solo voice. More appearances by one or all of them would have been quite welcome. Even so, the threesome manages perfectly well on its own.

Erskine is exemplary with sticks or brushes, which he employs on "Bop Be," "Poetry Man," "God Only Knows" and "Wichita Lineman" (the last taken at a slower-than-usual tempo). Pasqua's spare and charming phrases are well-suited to the trio format, while Colley's strong and decisive bass provides a firm and unwavering cushion. Together, they form a trio that is as snug as it is resourceful.

A word or two should be said about the trio's choice of material, which is first-class in every respect. Pasqua and Erskine are splendid writers, as is proven on Pasqua's "Gumbo Time," "Chillipso," "Contemplation" and "Dear Chick," and Erskine's "On the Lake," "Leaving LA" and "David's Blues" (which, Erskine writes, is "not a blues"), every one of which is luminous and engaging. While there may be comparable trio sessions recorded this year, finding one would be a lengthy and arduous task.