Featured Artist: Who Trio: Michel Wintsch - Gerry Hemingway - Banz

CD Title: The Current Underneath

Year: 2004

Record Label: Leo Records

Style: Free Jazz / Avante Garde

Musicians: Michel Wintsch (piano), Gerry Hemingway (drums), Banz Oester (bass) – Ray Anderson (trombone on # 9)

Review: The third release by the trio features all-star trombonist Ray Anderson, performing on the final cut titled, “Jlrai.” Ultimately, the group uses space as an added instrument. But don’t let that fool you. The musicians do inject an abundance of pumping grooves, fiercely enacted swing motifs and finger-snapping rhythms into the grand scheme of things. Drummer Gerry Hemingway and bassist Banz Oester generate matters into overdrive on occasion, while pianist Michel Wintsch once again surfaces as an articulate improviser. The pianist often counterbalances a sequence of micro-themes with his left hand voicings amid swirling countercurrents and odd-metered pulses. They explore a myriad of disparate angles. Hence, the live element creates an uncanny sense of the visual, whereas the trio remains focused, yet loose. The music is characterized by a continuous and asymmetrically designed flow, while Wintsch creates a few well-placed gaps here and there. At times, fascinating and highly entertaining, the trio simply distinguishes itself in rather pronounced fashion throughout this absorbing affair. (Vigorously recommended…)

Artist's Website: http://www.leorecords.com

Reviewed by: Glenn Astarita

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