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Cross Border Trio: New Directions
ByThe trio works interesting territory. Robinson leads the charge, his tenor the beacon for the rhythm section. He has a raw energy; he's a big brawny player who nevertheless can go all soft and gentle, and swing as well, bringing a welcome balance to the music.
"Hell in Hat Yai serves the diversity of approach well enough. Thorsen beckons Robinson's free-flowing tenor into a bop mould, and soon the tenor man is in the thick. The tune zips along deep in the groove before it turns into a happy swinging number. But the die has not been cast. Thorsen and Villa indulge in a frisky duet, and Robinson comes back and swipes in some steely free blowing.
A lighter, bouncier air captures "Conclusion/Beginning, which gets its tang from Thorsen's walking bass, Villa's accents and rhythm, and Robinson's probe as he extrapolates on the melody. The harmonic structure of "Red Light switches tangent from a balladic intro to a full-blooded bop tune. Robinson loosens several fertile ideas as he churns up a storm. The switch comes when Thorsen and Villa temper the fire by opening space and letting the structure breathe. The modulation lets Robinson ride the tune out on the melody.
All in all, a fine debut.
Track Listing
Hell in Hat Yai; No More Net; Shorter then Miles; 17th and Capp; Camarillo
Personnel
Jason Robinson: tenor saxophone; Rob Thorsen: acoustic bass; Paquito Villa: drumset and percussion.
Album information
Title: New Directions | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Circumvention Music
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