Chick Corea Trilogy 2

Chick Corea
Trilogy 2
Concord Jazz

The first "Trilogy" album was a three-CD collection of performances of the stellar trio of pianist Corea, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade from two tours by the trio. About "Trilogy," I wrote in 2014 that Corea displayed "his continued combination of intelligence, imagination, technique, and passion. Collaborating with McBride and Blade, and the quests, his brilliance shines here." This can be said about the present double CD collection of twelve compositions performed during a 2016 tour.

The program on this double-CD release includes standards, classic jazz compositions and three of Corea's compositions. Corea unaccompanied opens "How Deep Is the Ocean" before McBride and Blade make their presence heard in on a terrific performance of this standard. It is followed by a spectacular performance of Corea's "5 Miles High" from his first Return to Forever recording. Listening to the three is listening equivalent to watching the Harlem Globetrotters do their basketball warmups. Corea's interpretation of Monk's Thelonious Monk's "Crepuscule With Nellie," is full of invention and surprise. After another wonderful ballad, "But Beautiful," with excellent brushwork from Blade and there is an animated rendition of "La Fiesta." Other standout selections include a stellar performance of Steve Swallow's "Eidertown" with stunning interplay between Corea and Blade and a superb McBride solo and a briskly-paced treatment of Miles Davis' "All Blues" with Corea dazzling.

"Now He Sings, Now He Sobs," was the title track of Corea's first trio album with Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes. McBride and Blade requested it for the tour, and the performance is its first official performance since 1968. Blade opens in with a parade-like groove before Corea enters on another lively performance with a lengthy, impressive Blade solo.  There are also terrific renditions of tunes from Stevie Wonder, Joe Henderson, and Kenny Dorham on another outstanding recording from Corea, McBride, and Blade. Whether this latest recording wins a Grammy or not, "Trilogy 2" is terrific.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the November-December 2019  Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 387. Here is the trio performing Bud Powell's "Tempus Fugit."