Quinsin Nachoff's Ethereal Trio: Quinsin Nachoff's Ethereal Trio

Unlike Canada-raised/New York-based reedman Quinsin Nachoff's previous recordings—Flux, Magic Numbers, Horizons Ensemble, FoMo and 5 New Dreams—this is a trio album.

"Clairvoyant Jest" benefits from a buoyant head which initially propels the number, as Nachoff's improvisatory talent manifests in his soloing, a marriage of Albert Ayler's meanderings with Sonny Rollins' fluid articulacy. "Imagination Reconstruction" employs its preceding track's methodology but evinces a touch of Ornette Coleman in the trio's fluid cohesion.

"Gravitas" is just that: deep arco bass and meditative tenor melding seamlessly on a somber journey. The trio can also imbue its music with sophisticated rhythmic synchronicity, as evidenced by "Subliminal Circularity," whilst "Push-Pull Topology" is an example of the perfect balance between Nachoff's wistful tenor and Mark Helias' rich, resonant pizzicato bass, adorned by Dan Weiss' unobtrusive yet apposite drumming.

On the final number, "Portrait In Sepia Tones," Helias' agile arco initially duets with Weiss, who utilizes the lightest brushwork. The two are then joined by Nachoff on high register tenor, maintaining a subtle Jimmy Giuffre-like presence. Groups without the advantage of a chordal instrument occasionally have a problem with maintaining momentum and engagement, but this trio seems to have cracked it.