Instrumental Jazz CD of the Month - "Goldings, Bernstein & Stewart: Ramshackle Serenade"

Instrumental Jazz CD of the Month
Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein & Bill Stewart: "Ramshackle Serenade" (Pirouet)

Rating: ***** (musical performance and sonic quality)

Produced by Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein & Bill Stewart
Recorded December 17, 2013 - Mixed February 8 & 9, 2014
Recorded & Mixed by Jason Seizer @ Kyberg Studio, Oberhaching
Mastered by Christoph Stickel @ MSM-Studios, Munich, Germany
Cover Design & Photos: Konstantin Kern
Featuring: Larry Goldings (Hammond organ), Peter Bernstein (electric guitar) & Bill Stewart (drums)

Highlights: the standard "Sweet and Lovely," an extremely subtle jazzy version -- totally unexpected & musically surprising -- of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Luiza," Horace Silver's ballad "Peace" (the best rendition since Chet Baker's version for Enja), and Goldings' tribute to "(Max) Roach."

This trio is an unusual camaraderie of world-class players, three of the world's best players in the current jazz scene. From the moment you first hear the trio you can sense the deep respect the musicians have for one another. Three musicians who never make a big deal about what they are up to, thereby generating an infectious strength through their extraordinarily subtle control of all the musical parts.

Their intensely sensual music grooves and glistens. With the trio's extensive use of the music's dynamic possibilities, the passion and joy of this amazingly versatile instrumental lineup (keyboardist Goldings focused on the Hammond organ) is there for all to hear. Sophisticated music - just let yourself go, and enjoy. Give yourself the pleasure & enchantement of several repeated listenings of "Luiza." So far one of the best releases of the year.
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Larry Goldings, Peter Berstein, and Bill Stewart are an extraordinary team. Here you have everything that the traditional "organ trio" (organ, guitar, and drums) has to offer - exciting grooves, rich, tasty, sumptuous sounds. The trio members are among the strongest musical personalities of their generation.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1968, Larry Goldings has made lush, funky, bluesy, expressive music as well as attempted freer explorations in jazz with the likes of Maceo Parker, John Scofield, Steve Gadd and Jack DeJohnette. Born in Des Moines (Iowa) in 1966, Bill Stewart has worked with Joe Lovano and Dave Holland, and, like Goldings, has worked with Maceo Parker and John Scofield (albeit not at the same time). Stewart has recorded a CD under his own name, "Incandescence", for Pirouet. The album features Larry Goldings and pianist Kevin Hays, and was lauded by the press.

Peter Bernstein, a New York City native, has worked with such diverse musician as Diana Krall, Lee Konitz, Roy Hargrove, and Brad Mehldau. He is one of the most versatile and on-demand guitarists on the world scene. Originally he studied piano and then switched to guitar at the age of 13. His precise and melodically sensitive play was highlighted by no less than the great guitarist Jim Hall. After having performed concerts with him in the 90's, Bernstein extoled Hall as "the most impressive guitarist" he had ever heard.