While a sideman with the inimitable
Terence Blanchard, pianist/composer
Edward Simon released a series of recorded ensemble works, including La Bikina and
Afinidad, which impressed upon his listeners his sense of swing, melodic structure, and harmonic balance. Later, with drummer
Eric Harland and bassist
John Patitucci,
Simon released
The Process, followed by
Simplicitas in 2004 with bassist
Avishai Cohen and drummer
Adam Cruz. These trio recordings were critically acclaimed and led
Simon to continue his legacy as a bandleader in the classic trio format. With his third recorded trio work,
Unicity,
Simon now offers his audience an impeccable selection of ten songs accompanied by drummer
Brian Blade and bassist
Patitucci. As his best recording to date,
Unicity brilliantly captures
Simon's gold-standard abilities with Afro-Hispanic rhythms, instruments, and classical and jazz forms. The haunting theme "Abiding Unicity," which he has dedicated to
Egberto Gismonti, surrenders
Gismonti's remarkable influence on the pianist with elaborate, romantic beauty.
Simon's delicate classicism is brilliantly underlined by the subdued basslines of
Patitucci and creative percussive expressions of
Blade. This song is absolutely beautiful. "Prelude No. 9" -- a stunning composition written by
Federico Mompou -- has been given a new 4/4 time signature and a solo section based on the composition where the award-winning
Simon truly shines.
Patitucci takes the lead on "Pathless Path," with a memorable electric bass intro that eventually evolves into a priceless solo by
Simon. The interplay of this trio is beyond expectations. The remaining songs are just as extraordinary. Simply put, the entire recording is amazing. Each song is performed to perfection and it's no wonder that this particular trio is being compared to the powerful expressions of such spectacular jazz trios as
Peterson,
Brown, and
Thigpen;
Jamal,
Crosby, and
Fournier; and
Evans,
LaFaro, and
Motian. A must-have for any jazz trio devotee. ~ Paula Edelstein