Rating: Four stars
Formed over twenty years ago by pianist Jex Saarelaht this trio, one of the most respected Melbourne small groups, has now released a follow-up to their 1999 double album, Fiveways which included saxophonist Julien Wilson. With long term associates bassist Philip Rex and drummer Niko Schauble, Saarelaht’s trio has added these six originals to his considerable repertoire. The opening track – conversely entitled Closing – is a densely chordal theme with an insistent rhythmic pattern interspersed with treble runs, soon giving way to a bass solo. The piano continues, working big chords into the assertive rhythm and weaving inspired, cyclical improvisation firstly behind soloing drums and then at the forefront.
The title track develops a rolling theme to introduce Rex’s solo with its skilful double and triple timing ahead of the piano’s flowing treble embellishments while Five Nineteen is a blues, opening with a bass cadenza full of high speed runs and intelligent ideas. When the piano arrives it is with a modal approach to the swinging bluesy theme, building the tension to introduce the break-out drum solo. A semi-classical opening begins Then Again as a slow pulse emerges and Saarelaht embarks on an extensive, tasteful extemporization. In a salute back to the earlier album Five Ways, the closing track embodies a quite nostalgic-sounding theme which takes up a strong rhythm, maintained by the bass’s reiteration throughout an energetic drum solo heading into a climax that draws a roar from the crowd in this live recording. This is a superbly integrated trio displaying an extensive musical mosaic, led by a masterful pianist.
Review by John McBeath
