One thing a trio needs in order to reach that certain level of excellence is longevity. The Standards Trio of Jack DeJohnette, Keith Jarret and Gary Peacock achieved that status. The threesome of keyboardist Larry Goldings, guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Bill Stewart, although a completely different configuration, seems destined for that upper echelon. They’ve been together for decades, and are now at the plateau where the music is almost delivered by ESP.
This latest release is a classic example, with Stewart opening up the album with a deft solo for the intuitive read of Wayne Shorter’s “United”, while supplying middleweight jabs and punches on Gary Bartz’s “Libra” and a sleek R&B pulse to his own “Lurkers”. Goldings hums with rich moods with nimble interchange with Bernstein on a multiple dynamic’d “Django” with rich keys glowing on “Come Rain Or Come Shine”. Bernstein, the lyrical master of the 6 strings, is wonderfully melodic on Duke Ellington’s obscure “Reflections In D” and gives an easy blue lilt around Goldings’ framework during “Prelude”.
Yes, I am emphasizing individual highlights, but this is only in the context of a three way conversation that allows one person to step out just for a minute; the trialogue is the thing here, and it’s a good thing.