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Edwin Berg / Eric Surmenian / Fred Jeanne: Perpetuum
ByThe surprising thing about this proliferation of piano trios is that Darwinian competition appears not to be winnowing players out of the pool, but instead raising the game of the whole lot of them. There are no slouches in this confederation, making it difficultif enjoyableto keep abreast of all the good music being produced in this venerated jazz format. The Berg trio is no exception in this regard, offering here a mix of strong compositions by trio members (particularly, "Tuna in Pink," "Libellule des sables"); a golden oldie (a somewhat awkward "All The Things You Are"); and a real oldie, in the form of a Bach prelude. (Berg's passion for the Bach material matches Keith Jarrett's, though he is less rigorous and more swinging.)
As for the post-jazz compositions, the trio covers Michael Jackson's early solo hit, "Ben," recorded just months before the Gloved One's premature death. (Miles Davis himself recorded "Human Nature," of course, but subsequently the Jackson covers have been rather thin on the ground: Frank Macchia led a sax choir through a tight "Working Day and Night" on his Saxolollapalooza (Cacophony, 2008), while Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy did the same with brass for "Thriller" on Twilight Dreams (Venture, 1987).)
Most of all, Perpetuum is marked, as piano-trio records must be, by the pianist's playing; in this case, hard-working, intelligent, a little showy in the youthful way, and not afraid to swing.
Fred Jeanne's drumming is loose, playful and informal; on the loping "Amadeus First Dance," he sounds just like the percussive content of Ali Farka Toure's "Chérie," from his Red (Nonesuch, reissued 2005). Bassist Eric Surménian provides solid accompaniment and is well-recorded: a highlight is his solo on "Remembering You."
Track Listing
Perpetuum Prairie; Libellule des sables; Prelude BWV 847; Jaana; Herinnering; Amadeus First Dance; Parisian Thoroughfare; All the Things You Are; Ben; Tuna in Pink; Voices; Remembering You.
Personnel
Edwin Berg: piano; Eric Surménian: double-bass; Fred Jeanne: drums.
Album information
Title: Perpetuum | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Bee Jazz