The Jason Smith Trio, Think Like This

The Jason Smith Trio, Think Like This

1. Gnu York

2. Taylor Made

3. Halcyon

4. The Way You Look Tonight (Fields / Kern)

5. The Magician in You (K. Jarrett)

6. Smatter (K. Wheeler)

7. Lullabye

8. Three Lies (G. Husband)

9. White Nights

10. Dolphin Dance (H. Hancock)

Jason Smith: drums

Gary Husband: piano, Fender Rhodes, Moog

Dave Carpenter: acoustic bass

It must be exceptional circumstances that make a world-class drummer step aside to let in a comparatively unknown session-man. It must be a first that the more famous of the two then takes over keyboard duties, but that's the remarkable Gary Husband for you. Keen followers of Husband's work have long known that he is also an exceptional and extraordinarily imaginative pianist, he has two solo albums out with him being just that ("The Things I See" and "A Meeting Of Spirits"). But other than on a few studio cuts he has mainly turned to keyboards only on tour (e.g., Force Majeure and in John McLaughlin's 4th Dimension). So, formally taking the piano stool here while promoting a fellow label-artist obviously takes care of several bits of business while getting Gary 'the pianist' into the popular psyche. Oh, and there's also an Allan Holdsworth connection here too with the label releasing the last couple of Holdsworth albums, also featuring Husband and Carpenter.

Smith's compositions are wonderfully appreciative of former times and he displays quite a sensitive side through his writing. Having said that, "Gnu York" kicks off the album with a gently intensive 60s groove, before the next few tracks waft through at a generally more relaxed pace. Husband's arrangement of "The Way You Look Tonight" is loyal and irreverent all at the same time, "The Magician in You" in a little cheesy even by Jarrett's standards, "Dolphin Dance" features some of the best bass work and "Smatter" is a laidback workout featuring some impressive group interplay. Overall, the trio setting is sparse and light, bass and hi-hat doing the least work to keep time plus allowing Husband's acoustic piano to shine through, with his agile, airy, assured touch, sideways swipes at melody and complete understanding of the rhythm, the album has more the feel of one of those mid-50s recordings that used to work in a currently popular cut, with a few adventures into later decades, rather than a totally modern production. The strongest new composition is unfortunately Husband's funky moog-driven "Three Lies"; unfortunate, because perhaps the last thing you want is for your sideman to steal the show!