Audiophile quality, limited 200-gram vinyl LP edition! Japanese import.
Philadelphia-native composer, arranger and pianist John di Martino is a versatile musician who is equally comfortable in the straight ahead jazz, Latin jazz and world music scenes. di Martino has released several well-received leader albums from the Japanese Venus Records, with different rhythm sections, under the moniker "Romantic Jazz Trio."
This latest release is an ambitious project: An entire album of Thelonious Monk compositions plus an original composition by the pianist (the title track). The uniquely awkward and logical Monk tunes are difficult to perform in a piano trio setting, but di Martino more than succeeds in fiercely reimagining them and gives us a stunning performance after another.
The two co-conspirators, bassist Essiet Okon Essiet (Dollar Brand, Art Blakey, the Blue Note All-Stars) and Victor Jones (Lou Donaldson, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie) are equally versed in non-traditional beats and rhythms, and they contribute significantly to the proceedings. The vivid and powerful sound is also a plus. Very highly recommended!
Recorded at The Studio in New York on June 1 & 2, 2007. Engineered by Katherine Miller. Mixed and Mastered by Venus 24bit Hyper Magnum Sound: Shuji Kitamura and Tetsuo Hara. Cutting engineer: Kazumi Tezuka. |