A SPRING FLOURISH

REMI PANOSSIAN TRIO - Add Fiction

Very creative release from Frenchman Panossian with his new trio. Sprightly and showing hints of Trichotomy but with enough of their own good tunes and nice tinges of folk and classical in the mix. I'm welcoming them to the trio-scene with open ears.

TRICHOTOMY - The Gentle War

Speaking of Trichotomy, here is their next very welcome release and follow-up to my reviewed Variations. More of the same but that doesn't mean a rut. Same variety, same diverse musical manifesto but with a tad more identity and confidence.

MEADOW - Blissful ignorance

OK so not piano bass and drums, but anything with my hero John Taylor on is worthy of a mention. A very special record here, unbelievable recording quality, memorable tunes soulfully rendered. Is this a one off or are we allowed to look forward to more like this? Not ECM but hints here, John Taylor is one of the few pianists I know where you don't miss the bass when there isn't one.

CEDRIC HANRIOT TRIO - French Stories

Just when we thought it might be Jef Neve pointing the new way for the acoustic trio along comes Hanriot with this interesting and highly creative release. Helped along by two legends, Lynne-Carrington and Patitucci and other flavours here and there, I love the way Hanriot reinterprets traditional French songs whilst adding found sounds, spoken word and cellos in the mix. Exciting.

KIT DOWNES TRIO - Quiet Tiger

What can I say? One of the strongest UK trio releases since the Curios and a prize winner of great depth, beauty and creative expressions. It's almost scary how Downes has accelerated into the top of the trio A list in a relatively short time. A masterpiece.

IIRO RANTALA - Lost Heroes

A beautifully made solo piano outing by Finn, Rantala, paying homage to mostly recently lost piano heroes. At once profoundly moving and uplifting and another swinging and muscular, I'm now looking forward to a trio release from him. He possesses a perfectly sparkling right hand at any tempo.

YOSUKE YAMAGATA TRIO - Spider

Not a recent release, in fact this came out in the mid 1970s, but it sounds like it could have been recorded in the Rainbow studio last week. Utterly brilliant Yamagata on top form with New York trio. I was lucky to see him perform in Hanoi recently coincidentally on the same day the Tsunami hit Japan. A great night and his hastily prepared but eloquently delivered tribute to the victims was a moving moment never to be forgotten. Essential listening from one of Japan's greatest jazz pianists.