The Pocket Trio
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
★★★★★
If this album were a proposal, I’d be wed. It is a celebration of three songstresses and a delightful male voice, wrapped in a woven acoustic that is so very alluring.
No mere piano trio, The Pocket Trio: pianist and composer Andrew Scott, drummer Tim Geldens and bassist Max Alduca, might describe themselves as feel-good New York jazz, but they bring finesse that buoys the singers to excellence, while retaining their own presence. Sometimes playful, often simply nurturing, but always on cue and setting a high standard the singers embrace.
There is a pair of songs – one bluesy original and one re-enlivened borrowed jazz classic – from each, showing off the seductive Tilly Street, the effortless charm of Kate Wadey, the Latin energy of Monica Trapaga and the Connick-like charisma of Edo Santoni. There are Gershwin, Rodgers and Mingus, with a touch of Joni Mitchell, all sounding as though the songs are fresh off the pen.
The original tracks, composed by Scott with each singer, show a deep collaboration. In each piece the Trio floats the singer in an enmeshed melody and the singer gives space for the musicians; the partnership completely paired. In a really neat last track the Trio splashes around unsung, with some feel-good rhythms.
Can you choose a favourite track? No way. The original tunes feel as though they have the heritage of a jazz standard; the borrowed tunes have a fresh life that would make the original musicians sit up and say wow! This is clever and engaging jazz. Play it and be in their presence.
Keith Pettigrew
Emergent Jazz