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Gabriel Latchin Trio: Viewpoint

By Neil Duggan
May 9, 2023
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British pianist

Gabriel Latchin

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Gabriel Latchin, an artist who at the time of writing has notched up over 30 million streams, brings us his fourth trio album. In contrast to the previous outings, all the compositions here are Latchin originals. His trio is new too. Joining him are two names that bring reassurance whenever one sees them on album credits or live dates, first-rate British bassist

Jeremy Brown

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Brown and renowned New York City drummer

Joe Farnsworth

drums
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Farnsworth.

It is fairly rare to find a modern album played entirely in a straight-ahead style. For it to work as something more than just a veneration of the heydays of the 1950s and 1960s, it requires inventive tunes and exceptional playing. Fortunately, that proves to be the case here. Many of the compositions are driven from recent personal experiences and, as the titles infer, other strong musical influences including

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Barry Harris

piano
1929 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Harris,

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton and

Ahmad Jamal

piano
1930 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Ahmad Jamal, amongst others.

The album opens with the bebop styled "Says Who" and features an infectious piano riff before moving into an adroit bass improvisation from Brown. The piano riff then returns punctuated by rolls from Farnsworth. "Prim and Proper," inspired by Latchin's daughter, who is nicknamed Primrose, swings with a playful motif. "A Mother's Love," written two days after his second son was born, is a gentle and meditative exploration above Farnsworth's brushwork.

"Train of Thought" has a nimble Jamal-style piano with Brown and Farnsworth providing inventive rhythmic drive behind Latchin's left hand riff. Inspired by the Brazilian musician

Joao Gilberto

vocals
1931 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Joao Gilberto, "O Mito" (referring to the title of "The Legend" given to him in Brazil), is a swinging Latin composition with long lucid runs. Another inspiration, Cedar Walton, is the spark behind the bluesy "Mr Walton," Brown and Farnsworth providing nimble interjections.

One of the highlights here is "Rest and Be Thankful." It is driven by a catchy and eloquent bass motif and Latchin once more plays fluid Jamal-style improvisations letting in just the right amount of space. The atmosphere is more modern and languid for the closing track, "A Song For Herbie."

Throughout this set, Latchin acknowledges and respects his influences. The compositions are all strong and the trio allow them the space to grow and breathe. His playing is always crisp and the style is elegant and unfussy. Brown and Farnsworth also invest a lot of themselves, the net result is a masterful trio entirely in command of their swinging straight-ahead material. Highly recommended.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Says Who?; Prim and Proper; A Mother's Love; Train of Thought; A Stitch in Time; Bird in the Hand; O Mito; Mr. Walton; Rest and Be Thankful; Just the Ticket; A Song for Herbie.

Personnel

Gabriel Latchin

piano

Jeremy Brown

bass, acoustic

Joe Farnsworth

drums

Album information

Title: Viewpoint | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Alys Jazz

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