Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Paul Booth: Trilateral
Paul Booth: Trilateral
ByBooth is a well-established player, a respected sideman or collaborator with musicians such as guitarist Eric Clapton, vocalist Jane Monheit and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and a regular member of multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood's band. As a leader, he's released three previous albums. Booth has already proven himself to be a talented and adaptable player: Trilateral displays this adaptability but also showcases his strength as a composer.
Booth realizes his original trio idea by partnering with bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Clarence Penn, who are both perfect foils for Booth's sophisticated playing: unostentatious, sympathetic and stylish. Osvaldo Farres' "Tres Palabras" is the standout from this lineupa slinky, seductive tune featuring Booth's tenor saxophone and Brewer's flowing bass solo.
The organ trio (Booth's regular band) is a calm and relaxing ensemble. Ross Stanley's floaty chordal washes and Andrew Bain's low-key drums give Booth a strong foundation for his tenor playing. Stanley's gospel-influenced solo on Charles Mingus' "Self Portrait In Three Colours" is beautifully atmospheric. Booth's "Three's A Crowd" keeps the relaxed, effortless, feel while adding a bluesy groove.
The trio with guitarist Phil Robson and percussionist Adriano Adewale delivers a set of contrasting tunes inspired by South America and rural English folk. Booth's Brazilian-flavored "Chorinho Triangular" is blessed with an upbeat, irresistible, melody. "Trident," another original composition, retains the Brazilian flavor but its beauty is mellower and more contemplative. This group also performs Nick Drake's "Three Hours." Robson's acoustic guitar playing is a joysofter and silkier than Drake's own style. Booth's soprano sax has a plaintive, melancholy quality and Adewale keeps his percussion subtle, yet still drives the pace.
Each of the trios on Trilateral could sustain an album's worth of tunes. Booth mixes the three groups' contributions, rather than simply presenting one trio after the other, ensuring a variation from tune to tune that helps to keep the sound fresh. The impressive result emphasizes the ongoing musical worth of the trio format: a format that Booth seems ideally placed to further exploit.
Track Listing
Ménage A Trois; Three Views Of A Secret; Chorinho Triangular; Tres Palabras; Three's a Crowd; Three Hours; Three of a Kind; Self Portrait In Three Colours; Trident.
Personnel
Paul Booth
saxophonePaul Booth: saxophones; Matt Brewer: bass (1, 4, 7); Clarence Penn: drums (1, 4, 7); Ross Stanley: Hammond B3 organ (2, 5, 8); Andrew Bain: drums (2, 5, 8); Phil Robson: guitar (3, 6, 9); Adriano Adewale: percussion (3, 6, 9).
Album information
Title: Trilateral | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Pathway Recordings