Three
Twin Goat, 2023
8/10
The pianist Eric Lilley has enjoyed a 4 decade career that includes playing alongside Chuck Berry and Donna Summer, among many others, and this 3rd release includes 9 originals that were fleshed out with Mark Diamond and Tony Black at his side.
“Goats” starts the listen with Black’s swift drums, Diamond’s animated bass and Lilley’s meticulous keys illuminating the timeless Latin jazz spirit, and “Jereices’ Step” follows with a glowing melody amid the bouncy rhythm section.
Halfway through, “Bill Evans” showcases Lilley’s playful key progressions amid the frisky drumming, while “May Day” trims the pace back with a stirring intimacy that’s quite charming and dreamy.
Close to the end, “Any Day Now” carries a reflective quality, where Lilley’s finger acrobatics are front and center, and “Visiting Hours” exits with help from Jose Espino’s percussion for the atmospheric and moody finish.
Lilley possesses the education and experience that makes this cultured display of jazz a truly exceptional body of work that can swing, get sentimental and is often harmonically exciting.
Travels well with: David Larsen- The Peplowski Project; Chris Keefe- Opening