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Pat Thomas: This is Trick Step

By Mark Corroto
June 18, 2025
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Where to begin with the music of

Pat Thomas

piano
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Thomas? The London-born pianist began his journey in classical music before a televised performance by

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Peterson led him down the path of jazz and free improvisation. Over the past forty-plus years, Thomas has forged a singular voice in the avant-garde, contributing to groundbreaking ensembles such as the About Group, Black Top, the London Improvisers Orchestra, ??? (ism), and the critically acclaimed quartet ???? (Ahmed) with

Antonin Gerbal

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonin Gerbal,

Seymour Wright

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Seymour Wright, and

Joel Grip

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Joel Grip. The latter reimagines the music of bassist, oud player, and composer

Ahmed Abdul-Malik

bass
1927 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Ahmed Abdul-Malik, blending North African traditions with post-bop freedom.

Thomas' piano style draws equally from the angular brilliance of

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk and the torrential force of

Cecil Taylor

piano
1929 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Taylor. But his artistic reach extends far beyond the keyboard. He has long been fascinated by electronics and programming, crafting music that reflects his unorthodox and ever-curious spirit.

With This Is Trick Step, Thomas returns to a sound reminiscent of his earlier intersections with

John Coxon

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coxon and Ashley Wales of Spring Heel Jack, their drum-and-bass innovations once recast through the lens of free improvisation. Yet Thomas takes things further: his electronics here reject dance-floor conventions in favor of a raw, uncompromising sonic terrain. The beats are jagged and propulsive; the textures squirm and fracture, offering no easy solace.

As with his acoustic work, Thomas' electronic explorations are anything but conventional. This Is Trick Step underscores his restless creativity—bold, challenging, and wholly original.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Step 1; Step 2; Step 3; Step 4; Step 5; Step 6; Step 7; Step 8; Step 9; Step 10.

Personnel

Pat Thomas

piano

Additional Instrumentation

Pat Thomas: electronics.

Album information

Title: This is Trick Step | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: 577 Records

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