Jimmy Haslip | Scott Kinsey | Gergo Borlai: Arc Trio

A laid back fusion seeps from the Arc Trio album by the threesome of tremendous talents that go by the names Jimmy Haslip, Scott Kinsey and Gergo Borlai. With a cast list like that you know that the performances are going to be super smooth, silkily sexy and stupendously sumptuous and so it proves across a hugely natural sounding set of songs that vary in mood and tone while feeling joined in idea and intention.

As though all that wasn’t enough, soprano sax man Steve Tagavlione shows up for four tracks, but he’s also brought his flute as well, while across the way Judd Miller and Gary Novak also appear - although it might just be Vinnie Colaiuta who takes top guest star billing, with his roaming percussive forays to the fore on the push and pull of “Viera� and bulging bass boom of “Sprite�. Key though they are to the success of this album, Arc Trio is not reliant on the fleeting big names to add star power, instead living and breathing through a modern fusion feel that hits and sticks with equal authority. “Palo Alto� is light on its feet, the keys of Kinsey creating a cushioned effect that thoroughly draws you in, while “Goan Wanderer� verges on being an ambient shimmer that defies analogue instruments, but is filled with them. Bells ching and toms clatter in reverence, but it’s the enigmatic ‘voices’ that shimmer in and out of ear shot that truly engage and while it is the least connected track in terms of sitting neatly with its record mates, this really is a highlight of the whole experience.

That said, the more obvious fusioneerings of “West Orange� satisfies the soul and shifts the mind up a gear or two, while “Cedars� keeps things dark and dank while still somehow shining brightly. Add in the knowing nod and swagger of “I’m Hip�, which lives up to its name in a way a song with that title never should and swaying, swirl of “Conchita� and this eclectically together collection really does convince. Revealing an inner energy through its sheer laid back cool, Arc Trio is a joyous journey. It doesn’t look to do things vastly different from many who have come before, but infuse it all with a vast amount of heart and equal helping of soul and you end up with an engaging and in places exciting romp.

Track Listing
1. Owosso
2. West Orange
3. Conchita
4. Viera
5. Joan Miro
6. Cedars
7. Sprite
8. Palo Alto
9. I’m Hip
10. Goan Wanderer

Added: May 19th 2019
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Arc Trio @ Blue Canoe Records
Hits: 1007
Language: english

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