Craig Taborn / Nels Cline / Marcus Gilmore: Trio Of Bloom

Maelstroms come and maelstroms go, but the maelstrom generated by a pumped-up Marcus Gilmore on Ronald Shannon Jackson's  "Nightwhistlers," the concussive kicker that jump-starts Trio of  Bloom, holds its storm-warning, jazz-rocking, course. That guitarist Nels Cline—cranked by the spirit of Jimi Hendrix via Bill Frisell circa late '87; and keyboardist Craig Taborn (himself a modern acolyte of Horace Silver and John Cage) add their key signatures makes for a hell of an opener. One not soon forgotten.

Taborn's gauzy "Unreal Light" relishes in its dreamy realm until the drummer and guitarist turn the tune into a loopy circularity. Gilmore's "Breathe" suspends time just long enough to get to the  second slice of contemporary power jazz, Cline's "Queen King." Stoked by Afrobeat and a ferocious bass line courtesy of its composer, the track speed-sails along as Taiborn and Cline concur on the vibe and play it to the hilt. Gilmore falls into pace, Cline slashes chain lightning, while Taiborn grooves a la prime period George Dukeand Eumir Deodato. Like "Nightwhistlers," it is a best-of-the-year- highlight reel track.

Looking to look back and expand upon his work with the trio Power Tools —the aforementioned Frisell, Shannon, and bassist Melvin Gibbs —producer David Breskin brought the idea to Gilmore, Taborn, and Cline, coming to fruition with Trio of  Bloom. "Bloomers" with its surging, pulsing hypnotics resulting in a rousing return to reality as Cline shreds peerlessly away. "Eye Shadow Eye" presents one of Cline's quieter moments until that too falls away in favor of a more contorted rock jam. While Wayne Shorter's singularly graceful "Diana" receives a truthful and translucent treatment. The same can be said for another blast from the past, Terje Rypdal's crystalline "Bend It," from What Comes After (ECM, 1973). 

Throwback? Tribute? One giant step forward for mankind? Sure, Trio of  Bloom is all those things. It is also a great record from three creatives whose careers have intersected and cross-pollinated with many peers of their standing. Trio of  Bloom. Here is to brand new beginnings.

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