Golden, Casey, Trio: Miniature

Contemporary chamber jazz from Australia may not be a phrase I've ever typed before, but I'm guessing that with Casey Golden Trio in the house, we may be talking about it again. Having released two full length albums, the trio of Golden himself on piano, keyboards and music box, Bill Williams on bass and Ed Rodriguez on drums and percussion (augmented by special guest, Daniel Walsh on guitar), follow up with Miniature, a not insignificant one track with four parts, EP.

The very fact that right underneath the writing credits (Golden himself composes it all), it is highlighted that this album was recorded in a single day – November 29th 2015 in Sydney Australia if you care to know – illustrates much about what you can find. That being a keen mix of virtuoso performance, improvised sections and a clear chemistry between the men involved. All of which allows an organic flow of piano and percussion, bass and bombastic beauty; an energetic approach revealed in a host of settings as "I" contains sparking single note piano percussion as washing cymbal work reinforces the loose but structured feel. Add in spiky keyboards and then… rein it all back in through a darting, flitting bass and piano as the second movement slides into view and the cohesive contrasts are stark.

"Interlude" is under played by its name, as piano segues into music box plinging and plonging in a surprisingly beguiling nature, before the closing "III" ups the ante, an underlying rock structure driving the intensity, before some 'wacky' 70s keyboards scoot you off in another direction. The challenge for some may well be that the overall amalgam becomes a little too varied, or even slightly scattergun and yet to others that will be half the fun. Either way fun is one thing that is definitely assured from the Casey Golden Trio.

Track Listing
1. I
2. II
3. Interlude
4. III

Added: September 10th 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Casey Golden online
Hits: 1807
Language: english

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