Guitarist Javier Rosario goes both electric and acoustic on this muscular and musical collection of originals in a trio format with drummer Zak King and bassist Scott Kiefner. Rosario’s bio includes a stint with Joe Lovano, and it’s easy to see why, as he has the same rich and edgy sound and drive as John Scofield, with a dash of Larry Coryell as he mixes lyricism of clean lines and thick chords on “Ghost Town”. Intricate strings go mano a mano with King with hints of Thelonious Monk’s “In Walked Bud” on “Shades of Gray” while King’s frantic sticks create sparks with Rosario’s rocking ax during “On The Road” with the team mixing thick tones and getting frisky but not lost in the volcanic flood on their collective “Improv”.
Rosario displays a palpable texture on his solo intro to “Heading North”, shifting gears and then laying back for some tasty soloing by Kiefner on the tensile “Shades of Grey “ before dropping out and letting guitar and drums battle it out on a funky close.
As palpable as Rosario’s tone is while plugged in for the trio format, his solo material is tender and patient. He shows a deft use of space on the lyrical “Transitions of the Heart” and his nylon strings give folk minstrel moments on the misty “Change Of Heart”. The combination of assertive trio and impressionistic unplugged moments makes for rewarding listening for jazz guitar fans and aficionados.