Lest anyone forget what a wondrous vibraphonist and pianist
Berger is, this recording is a welcome reminder. The musical conversations are a series of duets with various longtime friends, including alto saxophonist/flutist
Carlos Ward, bassist
Dave Holland, guitarist James "Blood" Ulmer, vocalist
Ingrid Sertso, trombonist
Ray Anderson and violinist
Mark Feldman. The music is completely tonal, lively within subtle constructions, and thoroughly enjoyable. With
Ward,
Berger conjures up a more spiritual side on the lustrous alto sax/piano
Berger original duet "At Last," while
Ward's pitch perfect flute is an organ of sheer beauty alongside
Berger's vibes on the 6/8 paced "Out There Alone." If you've heard
Holland and
Berger's trio sessions with
Ed Blackwell (Transit and
Crystal Fire on Black Saint) you know these two are in tune with each other's every move, evidenced on the beautifully conceived vibes/bass unison & counterpoint of "Presently" or the lengthy piano/bass lament "Still." The distinctly unusual combination of
Berger's piano extrapolations and Ulmer's electric guitar crops up on "North" with Ulmer choppy and
Berger agreeable, or the more bouncy "South."
Anderson leaps into a couple of standards, with
Berger's piano on the extraordinarily spontaneous, well paced "Bemsha Swing," and a less calypso/more swinging with vibes take of "St. Thomas."
Feldman's features have him hunting, pecking, and effectively searching for fresh harmonic vistas, weaving in and out of the languid piano and melody of "Lover Man," or the free and fanciful vibes/violin tandem in the palpable swing of the improvised piece "Another." In oblique or inquisitive words and scat,
Sertso joins
Berger's similarly stanced vibes on "Why Is It That It's Not?," whereas in a light, airy mood they give perpective on "Freedom Getting There,"
Berger's lithe piano providing all the answers. While close to
Berger's best, it certainly is his most universally accessible recording. Easily recommended to the max, but definitely check out the
Berger-
Holland-
Blackwell trio CD's as perfect companions pieces, and equally perfect, fully realized musical statements. ~ Michael G. Nastos