TRACKLISTING & SOUNDSAMPLES

AB Trio "Initiation"

John Barrett, JAZZ USA writes: Anatholi walks slowly, and carries a big axe. On a spare background he struts, with different tones as the occasion arises. A bluesman one moment, a rock star the next, he does a lot with a little guitar - and passes the initiation.

The soundsamples are ca 40 seconds long.

Comments on the songs are also written by John Barrett, JAZZ USA.

1. Initiation
RealAudio (low q) || MP3 (high q)
The title cut slams hard; snaky notes with a ton of fuzz. As cymbals roll the lines go faster; for an instant he sounds like Hendrix. Hard to describe - it's a jazz solo with rock distortion.

2. Wings Of Light
RealAudio || MP3
"Wings" flies to the islands: sunny notes dance with the tom-toms. Reingold's bass bends softly, and restores the sunshine.

3. The Underdog
RealAudio || MP3

4. Children (Life Is An Open SKy)
RealAudio || MP3
"Children" takes gentle notes and weaves them simply; a reflection, with a hint of sadness. At times it sounds folkish.

5. Tripitaka
RealAudio || MP3
"Tripitaka" cruises with late-night funk: a fat bounce on the bottom and a theme like "Axel F." Anatholi has a guitar synth, and uses it better than any I've heard - sleek, but with muscle. The solo trembles high, and the drummer keeps busy; it's a wonderful mood.

6. Planet Hollywood
RealAudio || MP3

7. Pintor
RealAudio || MP3
"Pintor" is another slow cruise, not a samba but that same feeling. Cool notes creep upward, the drum fills are sweet - a day to relax.

8. House 418
RealAudio || MP3
"House 418" brings the dirty blues with a steady march. (It's technically not a blues, but that mood!) Just enough distortion, and a good heady twang.

9. Eternal Affairs
RealAudio || MP3

10. Folksong
RealAudio || MP3
by contrast, "Folksong" is breezy pop - sweet jangles and a spotlight for Reingold. As the bass meditates, Bulkin adds metallic chords - almost a dulcimer.

11. Presence
RealAudio || MP3
"Presence" has more of the synth (fast and futuristic).

12. Mr & Mrs America
RealAudio || MP3
"America" blooms upward with wispy chords - the perfect end to a perfect day.

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Comments on the songs are written by John Barrett, JAZZ USA.