Barron Kenny

This session finds American pianist Kenny Barron in the company of two Europeans, British bassist Dave Holland and Swiss drummer Daniel Humair. As any great trio should, the three function as a whole entity, resulting in a delightfully intriguing date full of both challenging and inviting music.

Barron takes composing duty for all but the Carmen Lundy ballad "Quiet Times," and Holland's exceptional "Jacob's Ladder." The pianist's feisty "Scratch" is the opener, allowing the musicians some highly rambunctious rhythmic interaction, while the floating waltz "Water Lily" is an ideal vehicle for Barron's graceful touch and Humair's dancing cymbal work. The disc's centerpiece, however, is the burning "Third Eye," which finds the trio locked in a dynamic three-way improvisational battle. Finally, the bopping "And Then Again" draws this stellar session to a swinging close with hopes for further international meetings to come.