The core of jazz, the piano trio, is in good form on these two recent releases.
Ernest Turner shows his church roots on this soulful post bop session with drummer Jon Curry and bassist Lance Scott Jr as he mixes and matches sources. The team shows sophisticated complexity that swings hard on the burning “Return Of Thanos” and the sizzling “In Or Out.” Turner’s hands stride well as he has fun on the Thelonious Monk tune “Monk’s Dream” and gives a warm nocturnal mood to Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” while getting reflective with Scott on “Dienda.” Most impressive is his gospel solo spiritual refection of “Precious Lord” while giving an urgency with the team on “We Shall Overcome.” Sunday Morning power with a Friday night pulse.
Pianist Richard Shulman joins together with Zack Page/b and Rick Diling/dr for a dozen swinging originals. Shulman’s touch is uptown classy, elegant on “I Don’t Know Yet,” sweet on “Afternoon Memory” and bluesy for “Toasted.” The team gets into a modal mood on driving tunes “Climb Up” and “For Chick” and have some fun with a Monkish “Stop and Blow” while getting funky on the back beating “Freedom.” Straight-ahead and no chaser.