Trio Reenactment: Trio Reenactment (2008)

Dan McClenaghan

Senior Contributor since 2002

A lover of sounds, and the way they fit together.

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Published: May 9, 2008

The deep dark prowling bass lines that open up Trio Reenactment's "Groove Chick," says that this Detroit-based piano trio's leader is bassist John Barron. The up-tempo composition has the feel of a Motor City "Night in Tunisia," as it drives forward with an exotic groove.

Barron, pianist Sven Anderson and drummer Rich Emanuel are veterans of the Detroit music scene, with a collective resume involving funk and Afro-Cuban sounds, Brazilian music and Broadway shows, Latin and Motown soul and straight-ahead jazz. On Trio Reenactment the group shows off their multiple influences and considerable mainstream piano trio chops.

The straight-through engaging set rides the groove of bassist Barron's assertive, sometimes guitar-like sound on three tunes by pianist Anderson and seven by Barron. "7-24" shows of the group's way with a ballad. The sound has a lilting sway, with Barron taking a crisp and melodic solo between Anderson's light sparkle

"Relentless" features Barron laying down on ominous foundation behind in a flashy (in the best sense of the word) piano/drums energy. "James" trips in on a light island rhythm, and "John's Big Feet" wears some quirky yet soulful dancing shoes. "Move It Along" does just what the title indicates, with a mainstream fluid momentum.

Trio Reenactment proves itself a fine and distinctive piano trio affair.

Track Listing: Groove Chick; 7-24; Relentless; First in Line; James; What If; John's Big Feet; Move It Along; Riding With Sveng; Olivia.

Personnel: Sven Anderson: piano; John Barron: bass; Rob Emanuel: drums.

Record Label: Self Produced
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream