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Simon Lasky Group: About The Moment

By Geno Thackara
July 15, 2019
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Which moment could this title be referring to? There's no shortage of beautifully striking ones scattered throughout the

Simon Lasky

piano
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Simon Lasky's second outing: dynamic lifts and swells, chord changes that step through sophisticated sequences as smoothly as descending stairs, little heads or melody lines that pack a special hit because they're placed at just the right spot in the larger context of the piece. The whole album is really an extended moment of happy togetherness, presented as a mosaic of all those small ones making up the whole.

The group's light fusion sound has a significant streak of

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny—the uplifting improvisational grooves, classy chops, exotic percussion and even some well-nuanced harmonica that evokes

Lyle Mays

keyboards
1953 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Lyle Mays' old synth sound in a couple spots. It's natural to think of

Weather Report

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Weather Report as

Pete Billington

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Pete Billington adeptly glides up and down the fretless bass, or pleasantly recall

John McLaughlin

guitar
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">John McLaughlin's

Shakti

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Shakti when

Kuljit Bhamra

tablas

" data-original-title="" title="">Kuljit Bhamra augments the drums with spirited tabla work. There's a lot to enjoy for listeners who like all those bands' sounds, though the SLG's joyful combustion is a product of their own making.

The leader's pieces are built for the ensemble with space to feature everyone without singling out anyone. "Mila's Song" is a lovely and not-so-simple piano solo; "Nightrider" is largely carried by guitar; "She Said" puts the bass and harmonica foremost. When the others sometimes drop out behind Lasky's keys, it's not to put him in the spotlight, but introduce a new shift or pattern for the band to explore. For all the interplay going on, it's difficult to actually point to any conventional solos. Each individual's turn in front is built into things as a piece of the overall structure.

The group can do simple and pretty (see the closing "New Day") as capably as it takes off from the ground and soars (e.g. the exuberant "Mountain Spirit"). There are melodies that please the ear without needing to be catchy and performances that impress without needing to be flashy. Distinct and comfortably familiar at the same time, About the Moment cooks briskly and offers a nice lift.

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Track Listing

Dancing In The Rain; She Said; Mountain Spirit; Nightrider; Intro To Close To Ecstasy; Close To Ecstasy; Mila's Song; Mendocino; Chasing Shadows; New Day.

Personnel

Simon Lasky

piano

Luca Boscagin

guitar

Sophie Alloway

drums

Peter Billington

bass

Kuljit Bhamra

tablas

Phillip Achille

harmonica

Fergus Gerrard

percussion

Album information

Title: About The Moment | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: 33 Jazz

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