Better known for his work on the Hammond B3, Mike LeDonne shows his talents on the acoustic piano, in an exciting trio setting with the vibrant Christian McBride on bass and the snappy Lewis Nash on drums. LeDonne’s touch on the ivories is consistently rich and strong, while his stylings vary from a grooving Red Garland glassy (teamed with Mc Bride’s pungent strings and Nash’s scatting) on “Lined With A Groove” to exotic Tyner modal along with McBride’s oud-like strums on the exotic “Saud.” The trio delivers a take of what should have been called “My Funky Valentine” with the three giving some oomph to the standard. Nash and McBride ricochet with LeDonne on Cedar Walton’s bopping “NPS” while the leader shows his elegance on a rich take of JJ Johnson’s “Lament.” The three gallop like stallions through “Here’s That Rainy Day” and sprint to the finish line on “Bopsolete.” LeDonne lets his fingers do the walkin’.
Savant Records