John Patitucci – Spirit Fall

On this new recording, where he returns to the saxophone trio formula he once explored with Joe Lovano and already Brian Blade, John Patitucci gives full rein to his talents as an acoustic and electric bassist and composer.

Long noticed as a sideman in many contexts, from Chick Corea’s groups to Wayne Shorter’s latest quartet, Patitucci regularly asserts his ability to propose formations as a leader and composer.

Supported here by two musicians with whom he is familiar, he offers nine compositions of his own and an inspired version of Shorter’s House of Jade.

Whether on tenor sax – on which he sometimes displays impressive pugnacity, sometimes a sumptuously melodious timbre -, soprano sax or bass clarinet, Chris Potter plays a central role in both the exposition of the themes and the solos. Patitucci alternates between the magnificent sound of his double bass – which takes on some remarkable solos – and the mellower sound of his six-string electric bass, which allows him to make incursions into the treble.

As for Brian Blade, his accompaniment is of incomparable finesse and constant relevance. This is a very fine trio featuring three musicians who have nothing left to prove, and who are content to demonstrate a pleasure in playing that is sure to convince those who have been following them for years, as well as those who will discover them in this fine recording.