Trioism

by John Vallier Jazz drummer Paul Motian has been lauded by critics for both his subtle syncopations and uniquely asymmetrical sense of time. On this 1993 release, Trioism, Motian's musical attributes are complemented by the cockeyed guitar styling of Bill Frisell and the breathy tones of saxmen Joe Lovano and Dewey Redman. With "It Should Have Happened a Long Time Ago," the CD's opening track, Lovano, Frisell, and Motian gently slide into a druggy minor key verse. Saturated with dark colors and impregnated with an extended sense of time, this tune immerses the listener in the trio's moody core. On "In Remembrance of Things Past" -- the CD's eighth track and the only one on which Redman plays -- Frisell is showcased soloing over eerie feedback loops and Motian's groggy grooves. A first-rate work, Paul Motian's Trioism is one of those rare, successful ensemble performances that manages to both stir and calm the soul.