Ralph Peterson's second Sirocco Jazz release is also his second trio recording. On
Triangular 2,
Peterson is joined by pianist
David Kikoski and bassist
Gerald Cannon to play six originals -- three by
Peterson -- and two standards.
Peterson, who is known for his high energy drumming, is more restrained than usual, as expected due to the lack of horns, but
Kikoski, who has performed with drum greats
Roy Haynes and
Billy Hart, and
Cannon, a member of
Roy Hargrove's group at the time of this recording, are veteran musicians who complement
Peterson's energy with their own, forming a very cohesive unit in the process. The trio's arrangement of
Cole Porter's "Night & Day" finds
Peterson relaxed and swinging on brushes throughout, and features an excellent
Kikoski solo.
Frank Loesser's "If I Were a Bell," the session's up-tempo burner, is basically a fast and fiery
Kikoski solo over
Cannon and
Peterson's driving rhythm until
Kikoski hints at the melody at the end. Other favorites include the finger-poppin' "Blues for Jones," which appeared on two
OTB recordings as "Nathan Jones," the melancholy tribute to
Art Blakey, "I Remember Bu," and the samba-ish "Red's Brazilian Fantasy." This is a fine recording from a trio of musicians who deserve wider recognition.