Lawrence Fields: To the Surface

As if chomping at the bit, pianist Lawrence Fields launches into his proper debut as a leader with "Parachute," a tune of his own making that strikes that perfect chord between piano trios past and present. And right away the listener is immersed in To The Surface.

A fixture on Rising Star category since 2019, Fields, who has made his name in the piano chair for such determined and willful creators as Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Branford Marsalis and Christian Scott (now going by the name Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah), simply commands To The Surface's hairpin cuts and corners. Clean, confident and imminently soulful, the playing is fast and emotive like sitting in on a real good session on a late Saturday night.

And like all good commanders, Fields doesn't do it alone. Everywhere bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Corey Fonville make that clear from the start by fashioning a muscular, malleable architecture beneath and alongside Fields. The pianist in turn exercises his keen flair for melody and moment with the sharp seasoned "New Season Blues" and the free wheeling "Movin' On" which features a revved up and popping solo by Nakamura. It is a joyride of a performance. Articulate and nervy, Fields' flagship track would, if released on vinyl, be jumping from the grooves. What at first appears to be a small turf war between pianist and drummer resolves into a total vindication of the ensemble's allegiance, versatility and range as Nakamura ties it all together and Fields lets fly.

The metro groove runs apparent on the all too brief "Yasorey," but it gives itself over beautifully to the high reaching "Vision." A consummate exhibit of the pianist's deft touch as both writer and player, it winds about itself and loosens the reins as Fonville and Nakamura, neck and neck and toe to toe, ride the crests. Another joyride and, given the sublime tenderness of "I Fall In Love Too Easily," another reason to laud and give a good listen to To The Surface.

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