Too Close for Comfort

Chronique

On his sixth HighNote album, pianist George Cables displays the immense harmonic warmth and swinging precision that one would expect from a journeyman master with an over-40-year-long career. Having famously honed his skills alongside such legendary players as Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, and Freddie Hubbard, Cables (who Art Pepper dubbed "Mr. Beautiful" due to how much he loved his playing) has been leading his own groups on and off since the '70s. Beginning in the 2010s, he formed a lasting trio with bassist Essiet Essiet and drummer Victor Lewis, both equally seasoned veterans. Together, they play an urbane and highly engaging brand of jazz that is the epitome of acoustic post-bop. It's a sound steeped in the modern jazz tradition, but one which continually seeks for greater harmonic and lyrical clarity. Cables leads his bandmates with deftness and grace, contrasting his thick block chords with tumbling multi-note runs. It's a virtuosic style that's particularly evident on standards, including their galloping reading of the 1956 title track and their brisk take on the Guys and Dolls classic "I've Never Been in Love Before." However, it's on his original compositions, including the glistening Latin number "This Is My Song" and the Dave Brubeck-esque 3/4 piece "Circle of Love" that Cables and his trio truly shine. This isn't music that pushes boundaries, or challenges your ears with harsh dissonance -- that's not the point. With his trio, Cables has more nuanced and subtle goals in mind. Too Close for Comfort is an album that sparkles with deep creativity and intelligence, reminding you how engaging and beautiful acoustic jazz can be.
© Matt Collar /TiVo