Music Review: Three Outstanding Jazz Records from Mark Weinstein, Salongo, and the Steve Elmer Trio - Page 2

The Latin influence can be felt everywhere. “Brasilian Sunset” will make you believe you're on a beach, relaxing with a daiquiri or whatever your choice of drink is. “Touch” is a sultry, intimate song. The drum intro on this song is fabulous – short, deep, focused. He has a light and precise touch on the drum kit. “New Rules” showcases the skill and intricacy of the entire group. The bass is pronounced here, it jumps through the song. Martignon's piano says hello and plays delightfully off of Lopez's drumming. About midway through they play a cool, offset beat that's just fascinating to listen to.

It's music you'll love.

The Steve Elmer Trio

Fire Down Below is a new record from the Steve Elmer Trio. The group is comprised of Steve Elmer (no surprise there), Hide Tanaka, and Shingo Okudaira. They've been together since 2005 and released one record before this one called I Used to Be Anonymous.

The music is gorgeous. Maybe this sounds amateurish (I must admit I'm a novice in the jazz field) but the piano sounds like old Gershwin piano rolls, only much more energetic. It's evident that the group placed genuine care into each track. Each song is treated like the only song and you get wrapped up in each one like it's a novel you don't want to put down.  Even without lyrics you can feel the story behind the music.

Okudaira's drumming is spot on. The patterns he plays on the cymbals during “Silhouette” are phenomenal. In fact, the drumming is brilliant on this entire recording. Rolls and accents are outstanding but it's the cymbal's that really stood out. There's just some beautiful sticking on these songs. The same can be said of the bass. It struts underneath the proficient drums and the sparkling piano just to remind everyone of how cool the songs are.

The title track, "Fire Down Below" is a frenetic showpiece of how well these three play together. It's got a fast pace and nobody misses a beat. The drum solo was an absolute joy to hear; the piano progressions were outstanding; Tanaka must have worn is fingers out keeping the bass pace he did. “Lasting Love” is the next track and it brings the tempo down, offering a relaxing and touching journey.

It's an album to check out. You'll be taken with it for a while.

Article Author: Gray Hunter

Gray Hunter enjoys an eremitical life in the desert.

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