Best known for his work with the venerable Yellowjackets, pianist Russell Ferrante delves into the trio format successfully with his team of Michael Valerio/b and Steve Schaeffer/dr, revisiting some vintage Jacket tunes as well as other colors of the musical rainbow.
Ferrante shows his lyrical skills quite well here, giving a pretty read to the YJ “Stick-to-it-iveness” with some nice bowed bass work and extra dazzle with Schaeffer hitting the unique instrument hadphoon for an upbeat feel. Likewise, the team builds up steam on the rich “Network of Neutrality” and there’s gorgeous and heartfelt ivory glowing on the classy tribute to marriage on “I Do” while the three flow on the cleverly arranged “57 Chevy”. Ferrante taps into his inner McCoy Tyner on the assertive “How Deep Is The Ocean” with some dazzling work by Schaeffer, while the drummer is featured on the intro during the fun and kinetic take of “Rhythm-A-Ning” and gives an impersonation of spoons clanging away on the backbeating “Spoons”. Ferrante’s melodic and spiritual touch is wondrous on the anthem “We Shall Overcome” and clever with his left hand work on “Inflexion D”, making this a great outing for heart, head and soul.