Dig Deep

Laszlo Gardony is a fine modern mainstream pianist whose music sometimes includes references to his roots in Hungary. He has been in the United States since 1983 and his current trio with bassist John Lockwood and drummer Yoron Israel has been together for six years thus far. The music on Dig Deep was recorded during a two-day period and the performances are all first takes. Gardony wrote all nine songs except "Summertime." In general, the music is lightly funky, it grooves rather than swings, and it is a bit reminiscent of the bluesier side of Keith Jarrett with perhaps a dash of Ramsey Lewis. Gardony likes to play in unusual time signatures so "In Transit" is in seven-four and "Out on Top" is in five-four, and the musicians sound quite comfortable no matter how tricky the structure might be. The trio is tight (their years of familiarity with each other is obvious) and the group has its own musical identity None of Laszlo Gardony's songs on Dig Deep have melodies that will stick in one's mind afterward, but the groove is quite infectious.