Pianist/composer Addison Frei teams up with a core trio of Perrin Grace/b and Matt Young/dr along with a handful of guests on this impressive collection of orginals, standards and even a classic. Frei has a rich and thick touch, confident on post-modern pieces such as “The Grind” and the longing “First Chill.” Communication between the three is reminiscent of Mehldau’s first trio, with some doubles tennis interplay on the pastoral “Ad Astra Per Aspera” and the thoughtful title track. Some vocals by Tahira Clayton and Lauren Harvey give a classical feel to “Two Step” and “Delicate Fog Respectively” while Frei pulls no punches on the rich take of “Brahms: Symphony No. 4” A lyrical waltz on “A Dream…” is enhanced by soprano saxist Drew Zaremba, and Frie throws a perfect curve to close out the game with an exquisite take of the campfire classic “Home On The Range.” Gotta like this guy!
Armored Records