While riding high as a member of
Joshua Redman's quartet, pianist
Aaron Goldberg released his sophomore effort, a trio date featuring Reuben Rogers on bass and
Eric Harland on drums. Over the course of seven originals and two covers,
Goldberg stays within the post-bop mainstream but displays an emotional and technical range that is well worth repeated listens. He emphasizes the versatility of the blues form on "Isabella Meets Wally," "MAO's Blues," and an intriguingly mellow version of
John Coltrane's "Equinox." He also offers a not-at-all-banal reworking of
Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and is at his pensive best on "Todd's Dream," a solo interlude that segues directly into the reflective "P.B.&J." All the while his rhythm section exhibits a great deal of dynamic control, which includes riotous incitement when it's called for. Smart, fiery, and swinging. ~ David R. Adler