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Benny Lackner Trio: Cachuma
ByModernization of the tried and true piano trio format is an ongoing process. e.s.t., led by the late Swedish pianist

Esbjorn Svensson
piano1964 - 2008

John Medeski
organ, Hammond B3b.1965

Sam Yahel
organ, Hammond B3Lackner has molded a very idiosyncratically distinctive artistic voice within the trio format on recordings like Sign of the Times (Nagel Hayer Records, 2006) and Pilgrim (Stray Dog Records, 2007). On Cachuma, he sprinkles and spices the sound of the acoustic instrument with subtle electronics, employing Fender Rhodes and Nord Lead 2 synth to juice up his nine contemporary-sounding compositions and a couple of well-chosen covers.
No other artist presents an album's worth of sustained mood better than Lackner. Studying under fellow pianist

Brad Mehldau
pianob.1970
The brooding and subtle "Lola's Dance" moves the record into a melancholy mood. Lackner and bassist Jerome Regard bounce into the intro of "Imren," moving from inward ruminations to playful prancing, with drummer
Matthieu Chazarenc
drums"Pianohaus" unfolds with a bit of jarring harmony, leading into a floating momentum where Chazarenc adds marching flourishes inside Regard's organic heartbeat as the rhythm gathers energy. Indie rock band Blonde Redhead's "Elephant Woman" trudges in a moody gloom, while Chazarenc's "Yulia" is the most delicately pretty tune on the disc, featuring Lackner's light and lovely touch.
Cachuma's closer, "The Baltic," features Regard and Chazarec laying down a thick, metronomic foundation for Lackner's deep contemplation and sense of release. He wraps up his fourth CD as a leader doing exactly what he wants to do: making superbly modernistic piano trio music. ">
Track Listing
I Can Do Whatever I Want; Lola's Dance; Imren; Coming Down; Cachuma; Pianohaus; Find Your Place; Brooklyn/Berlin; Elephant Woman; Yulia; The Baltic.
Personnel
Benjamin Lackner
pianoBenny Lackner: piano, Fender Rhodes, Nord Lead 2; Jerome Regard: acoustic bass; Matthieu Chazarec: drums.
Album information
Title: Cachuma | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: BHM Productions
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