When Nils Winther taps an artist for his Steeplechase roster, odds are favorable that the resulting partnership will weather the long haul. In this respect Winther has much in common with Alfred Lion. Both men cobbled together cottage label industries by virtue of close attention to their respective talent pools, Steeplechase musicians have a collective habit of quietly building careers through reciprocal consistency. Take pianist Michael Cochrane: not a name likely to rattle many craniums amongst casual jazz listeners. Winther’s resilient faith in his abilities has thus far led to seven albums as a leader, this being the latest. Cochrane takes that abiding confidence to heart, setting himself to the task of coming up with a personal portfolio of tunes that wears its idiomatic constituents prominently, though not presumptuously. The setting and trappings may be instinctively routine, but the pianist hardly sees that as a problem, as evidenced by the disc’s irony-free title.
Cochrane toggles easily between bop and postbop pedigrees on the disc’s nine original pieces. “Sit and Wait” and “Early Bird” sound like vintage Duke Jordan numbers, both culminating in a brisk, if predictable exchanges between piano and drums. Again, cases of familiar parts pulled into a shape that still has personality and verve. “The Seeker” plays off an early Jarrett vibe, with healthy spoonfuls of Milestone-era McCoy mixed in. Cochrane kneads a propulsive vamp with the purposefulness of a brooding baker forcefully preparing a mound of dough. Bassist Calvin Hill and drummer Jeff Hirshfield first observe, then accompany and then comment, a pattern that continues through much of the program. “New Samba” and “Convergence” plug progressive Latin rhythms into the template and while neither tune dazzles, both are still highly competent outings that accord decent improvisatory fodder for the three instruments. Cochrane isn’t likely to convert any amongst those who view the conventional jazz piano trio as a creative cul de sac. But for those consumers receptive to the Steeplechase rubric of new traditionalism this elegantly crafted set will likely massage the sweet spot.
[Steeplechase titles are available through Stateside AT prodigy DOT net]
~ Derek Taylor
Posted by derek on January 4, 2008 12:31 PM.................................................. © 2003 - 2006 bagatellen ..................................................