Gabriel Latchin Trio: The Moon And I

Following on from Gabriel Latchin's eponymous debut album Introducing Gabriel Latchin Trio (Alys Jazz, 2017), The Moon And I, recorded in London in February 2018, seeks to consolidate his position as a first rate straight ahead jazz pianist. Indeed his style is not dissimilar to George Shearing, Oscar Peterson, Andre Previn or Dudley Moore. As with his first album, this one is populated by standards but there are also some Latchin originals such as the breezy waltz time "Brigi, My Dear" the title of which is presumably a tangential nod to Thelonius Monk. There's also the foot-tapping opener, dedicated to his first son, "Arthur Go," with which he succinctly lays out his stall. Latchin wrote "Peek A Bu" as a tribute to Art Blakey with an allusion to the drummer's nickname in the title, and there's something of the swing of "Moanin'" here too.

"Baubles, Bangles And Beads" is given a speedway makeover resulting in Latchin's hands flying across the keyboard at approximately twice the velocity of Sarah Vaughan's rendition of the song. Antonio Carlos Jobim's graceful "Só Danço Samba" changes the focus to the Latin quarter whilst the mood downshifts for Jerome Kern's delicate torch song "In Love In Vain" which the trio handle with aplomb. There's an outstanding version of Lee Morgan's "Zambia" from the album Delightfulee, (Blue Note, 1967) where the trio are most definitely getting into their stride.

The penultimate number is Harold Arlen's ballad "Ill Wind," here given a sophisticated, bluesy treatment. The album finale, "Pippy's Delight" is dedicated to Latchin's second son. Incidentally, both the opener "Arthur Go" and this closer are contrafacts, based on George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm." This London-based musician, who was formally trained in jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, has succeeded in producing another impressive piano trio album which decisively proves that Latchin's playing skill is equal to his mature compositional inventiveness.