Larry Gray: 1, 2, 3…

This trio outing with Chicago bassist-composer Larry Gray, guitarist John Moulder and drummer Charles Heath yields some provocative material like the angular, Ornette-ish “No Doubt” and the distortion-laced romp “E-E-E-Lectricity.” Luxurious, harmonically rich ballads “Monk and Duke” and “Reflect” show Gray’s more introspective side while expansive numbers like “Soffia’s Dream” and “Far and Away” recall Pat Metheny’s Bright Size Life. Gray also delivers some expressive solo bass pieces in “Who Is the Drummer?” and “Meditation in D.”

Originally Published April 1, 2009