Turning Point
5Passion, 2022
8/10
The Grammy Award winning pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba finds himself with a new trio here, where Eric Harland’s drums and Matt Brewer’s bass are on hand for the 7 originals that unfold with a timeless jazz spirit.
“Infantil” gets the listen off to a very warm and playful start with the intricate piano and bouncy bass lines, and “Otra Mirada” follows with the precise drums complementing the dreamy keys as a very reflective tone unfolds.
Further along, “Iku” leads bare, with strategic bass plucking, where the mature piano emits a very sage-like quality, while “Turning II” bops and shakes with a swing filled energy of swift and animated interaction between the trio. The final track, “Joy, Joie”, is also great, and illustrates the very skilled chemistry the players hold, where the dynamic rhythm section accents Rubalcaba’s meticulous progressions.
A veteran recording artist, Gonzalo is constantly reinventing his work, and this 2nd effort in a trilogy of trio recordings is a highly creative, uniquely collaborative and certainly worth many listens.
Travels well with: Eddie Palmieri- Sonido Solar; Will Vinson- Tripwire