Oak Trio: Liminality

Oak Trio is Ben McDonald (piano), Aaron Holthus (bass) and John Sturino (drums) with Garrett Wingfield (saxophone on track 7).

The disc consists of ten tracks, nine originals and one cover. This is a supremely talented piano led trio that has no weaknesses I can detect. All the musicians have their hand in the pot, each having a considerable influence on the whole. Members are given ample opportunity to show their chops as there is sixty-three minutes of music to dive into.

The first track “Between Poverty And The Sun� is a grooving jazz piece with fast paced drumming exploits and fabulous solo piano. Towards the end the band is absolutely cooking. “Sublunary Hymn� is contrasted with subtly quiet piano swirling about the soundscape and more intense playing. The bass and piano solos add plenty of pizazz to the piece. The jaunty piano melody in “I’ll Be Seeing You� is another high point. All the members shine here including another outstanding bass solo from Holthus and more on point drum work from Sturino. The pretty melody in “If It Rains�, the dual piano lines with building crescendos and bowed bass in the nostalgic sounding “In Light Of Recent Events� and the fantastic ensemble playing in “Longer Summers� are more captivating moments.

Liminality should appeal to a wide range of jazz fans. One of my favourite jazz albums so far this year. Highly recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Between Poverty And The Sun (7:14)
2. Sublunary Hymn (8:40)
3. I’ll Be Seeing You (7:52)
4. If It Rains (5:02)
5. If It Rains Outro (1:50)
6. In Light Of Recent Events (8:24)
7. Longer Summers (6:12)
8. Influenza (6:18)
9. Eso Papá (5:54)
10. Neptr (5:57)

Added: June 10th 2018
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 1070
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]