Larry Goldings Trio: Sweet Science

'

Sweet Science is a sweet ethereal trip with a classic greasy organ-guitar trio minus the grease (this is not to say that the disc does not swing, it does, in spades). The music provided by Messrs. Goldings, Bernstein, and Stewart is complete sophistication. The music would fit well as the soundtrack of a very hip science fiction program. The opening "Asimov" is expansive and angular with probing guitar lines by Bernstein supported by Golding's ultrahip underpinning. Nine bright originals and a single standard (Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's In Love With You," superbly retro) make up this state-of-the-organ-trio recording so appealing. The music is fresh Post Bop that is never boring. It grooves tastefully.

His longtime trio mates guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Bill Stewart join Goldings for the festivities. They have previously released three other trio recodings on Palmetto. These include As One (PM 2068, 2001), Voodoo Dogs (PM2061, 2000) and Moonbird (PM2045, 1999). Bernstein plays with a round, softened tone that showcases his confidently grand attack. Bill Stewart provides a transparently steady swing, providing just the necessary accents. The sum total of the part of this recording is fine music, finely played.