Tethered Moon: First Meeting

Space and shadow vie with sound and light in this set of explorations by pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, bassist Gary Peacock, and drummer Paul Motian. They present themselves, to each other and to the listener, through conversations that are rife with allusions and invitations to dance. In the course of these conversations, they cover some familiar territory. Monk’s “Misterioso,” Cole Porter’s “So in Love,” and Miles Davis’ “Solar” come up, and we overhear the way the trio approaches the tune. They enter not so much through analysis but by synthesis, as if their individual memories and associations for each theme together shape the performance. Kikuchi favors a round tone, making accented attacks the sharper for contrast. Peacock and Motian assert and respond, give and take, surge and withdraw, like the tides implied in the trio’s name.

Originally Published January 1, 2000