Tangled Roots

For his second Summit CD, pianist Brian Trainor composed a loosely constructed suite made up of songs inspired by a friendship. With bassist Ricardo Ferrer and drummer Jeff Jerolamon, the trio explores this challenging music with fervor. "The Bike" suggests a heavy influence of the late Herbie Nichols in Trainor's playing. "The Dance Commences" is a seductive tango, though it was not originally conceived in that form; it is heard in two separate versions, one of which is edited. Jerolamon kicks off "The Move" with a funky drum cadence, with Trainor's daring post-bop excursion building the tension. The poignant ballad "Scars of Ironwood and Ash" is pure melancholy, packing an emotional punch. "Tangled Roots" is aptly named, with shifting tonal centers and overlapping solos challenging the listener as much as the musician. Brian Trainor's music proves to be provocative throughout the session and merits repeated listening. Highly recommended.