If the trio of Bill Evans/p, Scot LaFaro/b and Paul Motian/dr aren’t the “best” trio in the history of jazz, they at least have to be the most influential. LaFaro’s use of the bass freed up the rhythm and melody to a point that allowed Bill Evans to do harmonic explorations that were barely even dreamed of before. And, with Paul Motian’s sublimely pulsated drum and cymbal work, the team created symbiotic conversations that simply defined modal/post bop jazz. This two disc set brings together material from their two studio albums, Portrait in Jazz and Explorations, as well as their legendary June 1961 recordings from the Village Vanguard. If you don’t already have these recordings, or have never heard of them, here is the place to start.
The studio material such as “Autumn Leaves’ or “Peris’ Scope” show the beginnings of the revolution taking place; by the time Evans fingers touch the ivories on “Blue in Green,” the gauntlet has been thrown down. It seems a major evolutionary step takes place as the team stretches out like salt water taffy on subliminal pieces such as “Gloria’s Steps” and “Solar” where you can’t tell where LaFaro and Evans go from improve to support to theme and back. The trio shows they know how to deliver sublime romance as on the definitive “Waltz for Debbie” and “My Foolish Heart” and produce impressive sophisticated bop on “Milestones,” but it was for the watercolors of pieces like “Jade Visions” and “All of You” that took cerebral jazz and made it sound like a stroll through Givenchy. Essential for affirmation of life.