Trio Works Sol
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The esteemed guitarist Joe Wittman is joined by Daniel Duke and Keith Balla for these live, organic, spontaneous songs that never shy away from grooves.
The lively climate of “The Judge” opens the listen wth Balla’s frisky drums suiting Wittman’s glowing and quick guitar playing, and “Big Sip Riser” follows with a calmer pace that uses Duke’s rumbling bass amid the crisp drums and meticulous guitar lines.
The middle track belongs to the infectious energy of the dynamic “Isiah Restored”, while “Felon Wind” is a more intimate moment of dreamy melodies that are executed with much warmth.
“Born To Be Blue” and “Boogie For Bloomfield” exit the listen, where the former is both cautious and adventurous, and the latter embraces plenty of funk appeal from the animated guitar and punchy drums.
Wittman and company have played hundreds of gigs in the last decade in New York City, and that’s more than made them ready for this debut that came pretty naturally for the trio and will be sure to strike a chord with anyone who enjoys hardbop, jazz guitar and bluesy, swingin’ ideas.
Travels well with: Todd Mosby- Land Of Enchantment; Jack Jones- Artwork