November 2000

Frank Gambale/Stuart Hamm/Steve Smith
The Light Beyond
Tone Center

By Tony Green

Frank Gambale hooks up with Steve Smith on The Light Beyond (Tone Center TC 40102; 59:11), a trio date with bassist Stu Hamm. The fleet-fingered strings man adds a bit more edge to his approach here, scorching his way through the disc opening "Khatadin," while Smith burrows into the odd metered "Lumpy's Lament." Despite the gymnastics, all the compositions maintain a motivic/melodic center, demonstrated on the cushiony "Yin."