Tethered Moon

by Scott YanowTethered Moon, although sometimes listed under bassist Gary Peacock's name and featuring the three musicians as near-equals, is actually led by Japanese pianist Masabumi "Poo" Kikuchi. At times Kikuchi's quiet playing is a little reminiscent of Paul Bley, but his sense of humor (most at evidence during his stretching of the theme of "Misterioso") is his own and he is consistently inventive. Kikuchi, Peacock and drummer Paul Motian work together quite well on these seven selections which consist of three standards, a trio of Peacock compositions, and Kikuchi's lengthy and introspective title cut. Just a few years earlier, Kikuchi was mostly heard on synthesizers, so the thoughtful Tethered Moon was quite a departure for him. Well worth searching for.