Trust

by Alex HendersonThough Richie Beirach isn't obscure, he isn't as well-known as he should be. A flexible pianist, Beirach can be quite lyrical on standards, although being cerebral and abstract also comes easy to him. One of the more cerebral, unsentimental albums he recorded in the '90s was Trust, a fine post-bop trio date boasting Dave Holland on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. As strong an album as Trust is, it isn't for everyone. This isn't the place to go if you want to hear Beirach playing a lyrical version of "Moonlight in Vermont"; from "Rectilinear" and "What Are the Rules?" to "Gargoyles" and "Boston Harry," Trust is a record that generally favors angularity, complexity, and a lot of intellect. Those who don't have a taste for the abstract might have a hard time comprehending much of the album, but for those who are able to absorb this challenging music, Trust has a lot to offer.