Marc Cary: Trillium

While this is pianist Marc Cary’s record, the first thing that jumps out at the listener is the huge sound of Tarus Mateen’s bass. Deliciously fat, woody tones like these don’t grow on trees. On this memorable trio session, Mateen and powerhouse drummer Nasheet Waits provide a rambunctious, rock-solid foundation for Cary’s profound piano ruminations. Flutist Yarbrough Charles Laws appears on two strikingly melodic Cary originals, "New Prospective" and "Peace Maker" (the latter a piano/flute duet), as well as the lively finale, "King Tut’s Strut." And Cary, in a tribute to his mentor Abbey Lincoln, plays the singer’s "My Love Is You" as an unaccompanied solo. As for the trio selections, "Little Willie Leaps" and Mateen’s "Blues for Haseeb" are as close as it comes to straight-ahead bop blowing. Cary seems to favor the more adventurous collective improvisation of "Minor League," "Trillium," and "Moment of Love," during which the tempos remain strong but the line between soloist and band pretty much disappears.

Tracks: 1. Minor League 2. Trillium 3. Blues for Haseeb 4. New Prospective 5. My Love Is You 6. Peace Maker 7. Little Willie Leaps 8. Moment of Love 9. King Tut’s Strut