Brian Charette is the new sound for the organ, Square One is not back to basics but instead ground zero for the future of one of the finest organ players in the world.
Brent Black / www.criticaljazz.com
Make no mistake that Brian Charette is a leader and far from a newbie and while the term “session player” is incredibly unfair if not inaccurate, Brian would probably tell you his diverse musical background is perhaps key to his forward thinking compositions. Square One is far from a blast from the past yet there is a smoldering Larry Young meets Joey DeFrancesco feel that is pulled off not as a riff but as a forward thinking visionary working as the by product of his own artistic experiences. Brian Charette is an artist. This is straight ahead organ infused with a contemporary soul. The sound of New York.
The organ trio can be feast or famine. Truth be told I have not heard an organ trio that I could not appreciate on “some” level with the catch being some better than others. Square One gets bumped up to “better than others!” Joining Brian we have critically acclaimed guitarist Yotam Silberstein and rock steady drummer Mark Ferber. The end result of Square One is an intimate collective with a burning soul. Brian paints with a broad and deep harmonic brush with the end result as the mythical three dimensional sonic depth of field.
Colors you can hear.
Yotam Silberstein and Mark Ferber are far from accompanists and instead integral parts of a rare harmonic synergy captured in such a stripped down ensemble. Covers here are minimal, don’t need them. “If” from Joe Henderson and “Ease Back” from the Meters fit hand in glove alongside Charette originals such as “True Love” and “Ten Bars For Eddie Harris.”
Brian Charette’s compositions are tight, soulful and harmonically inventive. Some reviews write themselves. But humor me…
