Peter Donald, Abraham Laboriel, Tom Ranier: 3PRIME

Dave Nathan

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Published: August 1, 2001

3Prime is three stalwarts of jazz. Drummer Peter Donald has been the anchor for many a rhythm section having played with everyone from Zoot Sims to John Abercrombie. Abraham Laboriel also has an impressive resume having backed both pop and jazz personages. He has also been on many ECM albums, one of the foremost labels of modern jazz. Tom Ranier, a top notch improvisor, is also as adroit on the clarinet as on piano. The clarinet isn't part of this CD package. The label, Fuzzy Music, is the brainchild of progressive jazz drummer, Peter Erskine.

Energized by a live, actively participating audience, the trio embarks upon exposing an eclectic play list to a wide array of interpretative approaches. Laboriel's "Moment out of Time" is definitely modern as is the following cut "Step Outside" where Laboriel reveals an deep intimacy of the electric bass. This track is one second short of nine minutes of innovative improvisation. Even the standards are treated to a modern jazz face lift. After a nod to the melody, the trio revises and revamps "All the Things You Are" with striking extemporization. The track features strong drum inserts by Donald as he trades off with Ranier's piano, with Laboriel's bass wandering around underneath. Although these three are veterans, they have not stayed still. They not only have kept up with new jazz forms, they have become leaders in playing within their framework. This is a solid session and is recommended.

Track Listing: You Stepped out of a Dream; Moment out of Time; Step Outside; Jet Samba; Blue Daniel; Snippy; All The Things You Are; Teach Me Your Paths

Personnel: Abe Laboriel - Bass; Peter Donald - Drums; Tom Ranier - Piano

Record Label: Fuzzy Music
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream