Andrea Longato: Thinking Heart

First impressions of music—putting streaming aside—can come at you from the cover art. Guitarist Andrea Longato's debut release, Thinking Heart features a pair of rhinoceros standing side-by-side, mirror images inside a plain wash of olive green. Who would create cover art like that? And why?

But the why does not matter. The image is a bit strange but beautiful and compelling, and it evokes the "What kind of music have we got here?"  Good. The first impression has done its job.

Longato and his trio mates make the music: Bryan Percivall on bass and Rob Heath holding down the drummer's chair. The guitar trio, like the piano trio, is a tried-and-true art form, a path that the best—Wes Montgomery, Bill Frisell and John Scofield and so many more have trod upon. Longatos's trio, in the laying down of his creative originals, displays a crystal-clear vision in a cohesive, meditative set that highlights the leader's versatility while maintaining a laid-back mood.

On the evidence of Thinking Heart, Longato could fit into an array of genres: Americana, rock, country, contemporary jazz, ambient, classical, and post-rock. He moves back and forth between modes with a spare and understated personal style, making a clean, clear statement from start to finish, despite the different influences he brings to the table  He could have played in Merle Haggard's band, traded licks with Carl Perkins or rubbed elbows with Daniel Lanois,

"Daisies" opens the show of Longato originals. It is an ambient wash that sounds like a sunrise. Then a groove emerges. On an initial listen the impression of simplicity raises its head. But the simplicity has subtle interweavings; unexpected chords come around and bits of guitar-in-front-solos shine with a deceptive complexity. Longato is not about hitting you over the head; he is more about enticing you with an understated eloquence.

Throughout the composed segments dance with improvisation in the most simpatico of ways. Longato's trio mates are master accompanists— assertive while serving the music at times, at others slipping into the background to whisper behind the leader's guitar.

This work was created by Longato without a publicist, agent or record company. He produced it, mixed it and mastered it. As the 21st century moves along, this is increasingly how artists present their work. There is freedom in this approach. With Thinking Heart Longato took advantage of the freedom to craft a captivating personal statement.