Sacha Perry's third CD for Smalls continues his series of trio sessions with bassist
Ari Roland and drummer
Phil Stewart, with this date focusing exclusively on the pianist's originals. Featuring the leader's swirling lines complemented by
Roland's dark arco bass and
Stewart's driving percussion, "Lèa" is a twisting, intense bop vehicle in the style of
Bud Powell, with plenty of exchanges among the musicians. The Latin undercurrent to "Monkey and Dog" is reminiscent of
Horace Silver, though
Perry blends elements of
Powell and
Thelonious Monk (the latter in the introduction). The melancholy "Farewell Brother" has a dirgelike air, contrasting with the rollicking "Chuckleheads" and the appropriately furious tempo of "Times Up." A fine pianist building upon the bop tradition,
Sacha Perry deserves wider recognition.