Wiring

Trio 3 first formed in the early Nineties (their  Live in Willisau  album, recorded in 1992, was my pick for best jazz album of the year for 1998), bringing together as equals and co-leaders Oliver Lake on alto sax, best known for his long tenure with the World Saxophone Quartet, Reggie Workman on bass, best known for playing with Coltrane on the 1961  Live At The Village Vanguard  sessions, and Andrew Cyrille on drums, best known for being (at least in my opinion)  Cecil Taylor's best drummer .This is the fourth and latest Trio 3 album on the Swiss Intakt label to feature a guest pianist (following recordings with Irène Schweizer, Geri Allen and Jason Moran). This time it's the incredible Vijay Iyer, who is known for his speed, drive, and rhythmic complexity, but this is not a Vijay Iyer album, and here he blends magnificently with his elders. (Workman was born in 1937, Cyrille in 1939, and Lake in 1942. Iyer was born in 1971!)The pianist brings two compositions -- the opening "The Prowl," which opens with a funky bass line, and the moving "Suite for Trayvon (and Thousands More)" in three parts, a highlight of the album. Workman contributes "Synapse II" and "Willow Song," a lovely ballad that followers of the bassist may have heard before. Two compositions are by Lake -- "Shave," and the title cut, "Wiring." The album closes with the latest recording of Cyrille's "Tribute to Bu," which he wrote for Art Blakey, the great drummer and bandleader.The great Amiri Baraka wrote the liner notes. He died between the August 2013 recording and the album's release in 2014, and he will be missed. The 12-page Intakt booklet also includes color photos of the musicians. The cover art is by Oliver Lake.These master musicians have at their disposal the entire history of jazz. This is post-bop, broadly speaking, and there are avant elements that some traditional jazz listeners might find challenging. But this is not really avant-garde music -- it is solidly in the African-American tradition, with strong melody and swinging rhythm, up-tempo numbers and slower ones, including ballads. It moves outside, but it comes back in!I haven't heard the other "Trio 3 + guest pianist" albums, so I can't compare, but in its own right this is an excellent album, sure to be one of the best of 2014!

Iyer's pianistic artistry is very engaging & is greatly enhanced by the scintillating sidemen.

Trio 3 is a pretty cool band, but the folk they play with "change" them in every context. In this album Vijay Iyer brings his brand of swing to theirs -- and the meld is still gorgeous. Contemporary free jazz that's both tuneful and melodious.

classic buy now enjoy for a very long time better than most crap out there

Great

I base my star ratings on the amount of times I go back to an album for further listening. I love and respect all the artists on this album. For me, there were few inspiring moments on this collection. I won't be listening to this album all that frequently. Although I will try it again....

JAZZ is a live thing, in permanent changes, this is the reason because a love the idea of Trio 3. A permanent group, Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman and Andrew Cyrille, three old master and in this case a new master, Vijay Iyer on piano. Great, really great. For me it's not free jazz is simple JAZZ. Perfect interaction between the musician and good compositions. Don,t be afraid and listen it. You will enjoy. Insist, the idea of Trio 3 is great, every new record have a new member, and a great guest ever.

Vijay iver es el el pianista actual de referencia. De origen indu se ha forjado una increible carrera en los EEUU aparece ahora con ese singular grupo que se llama Trio 3 formado por tres grandes músicos que tuvieron la suerte de tocar a las ordenes de músicos de la talla de Cecil Taylor o Coltrane. Un día estos tuvieron la idea de formar un grupo en los que ellos estaban fijos y en cada grabación invitan a un pianista joven. Primero fue Gery Allen, luego Jason Moran y ahora Vijay Iyer. No es free jazz, es jazz contemporáneo del muy, muy bueno. Todos componen y es una experiencia inolvidable. Si buscan algo diferente y de alta calidad no lo duden este es su disco. Cada disco es un mundo. Un ejemplo para los que crean que todo esta inventado.