Perceptions Trio: The Wicked Crew

If it is decided that the unadorned saxophone could use some enhancements, pedals can be plugged in to bring electricity and "effects" to the mix. Then add an electric guitar (with effects), and an acoustic drummer setting up the grooves, and you have the Perceptions Trio, with their album The Wicked Crew.

Charley Rose wields the juiced-up sax, Silvan Joray adds neon colorations with his very electric guitar and Paulo Almeida rounds things out in the drummer's chair, forming up, respectively, a French, Swiss and Brazilian ensemble that freshens the jazz trio format considerably with their luminous orchestral approach.

"Radio Goosebumps" opens the set with a dazzling display of tight solos and orchestral comping from both sax and guitar as the trio crafts a new world, something from the future. "Umbarto" is reflective, like a bright multi-colored sunset, the shore of an alien planet doubled up via the mirror effect from the surface of the water. At the same time "Andromeda" exudes an off-kilter majesty and deep mysteries. Drummer Almeida supplies the central force of gravity, guitarist Joray paints the various nebulae and Rose creates the gravitational eddies that form the solar systems, the gas giants, the errant comets.

The Perceptions Trio is innovative and egalitarian. All members contribute strong compositions, and two tunes are group improvisations. The futuristic title tune is one of the improvised pieces. It sizzles and pops, driving forward with an implacable and unpredictable momentum, while "Nebulosa" floats with a stately, steely orchestral grace, wrapping things up by taking the sound out into deep space.