Now This

His long-standing, exploratory trio play a collection of captivating pieces for their ECM debut which showcases their rhythmic, melodic and sonic chemistry. In the realm of the piano trio the bar is set high, and creative bassist Gary Peacock has helped raise it in the groups of Bill Evans, Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett. Now This is an album with the bassist's current trio, recorded last summer in Oslo. Powerful new versions of some Peacock classics - such as Moor, Vignette, Requiem and Gaya - are interspersed with recent compositions. Marc Copland and Joey Baron each contribute tunes, and the group also tackles Scott La Faro's Gloria's Step. In this band, roles are very evenly shared, and this is an optimum context in which to appreciate the melodic invention of Peacock's bass playing. Marc Copland always honours the needs of the compositions and Joey Baron supplies both drive and sensitive detail.