January/February 1998

Laurence Hobgood/Brian Torff/Paul Wertico
Union
Naim Label

By Duck Baker

This piano trio gets a unique sound by stretching things beyond customary limits via timbre, dynamics, voicings, but never bend basic harmonic or rhythmic rules to speak of. Daring and conservative at once, and quite creative in their chosen range. Hobgood is as Bleyful as Evansesque, with an ear for unexpected harmonic tension. These three work amazingly well together for a studio combination, and the choice of material is excellent.