Tarbaby is the collective trio of Orrin Evans (piano), Eric RevisNasheet Waits (bass) and (drums) and “The End of Fear” (Posi-Tone Records) is the their 2nd CD. They’ve invited 3 fine guests to join them, including J D Allen (tenor sax), Oliver Lake (alto sax) and Nicholas Payton (trumpet). This is music that takes plenty of chances, throws the listener plenty of curves, yet never feels forced or contrived. Blending original works by each member, collective improvs and a number of fascinating interpretations, the recording sticks in your mind. There is a vocal sample from Duke Ellington (among others), hard-edged riffing (a la The Bad Plus), echoes of Thelonious Monk while the guests match the fire and invention of the hosts. Lake slams through his own piece, “November ’80”, his angular lines pushed by Waits’ rampaging drums (the drummer has been part of many fine rhythm sections this year besides this one – he’s a regular member of Jason Moran’s Bandwagon and trumpeter Avishai Cohen’s “Triveni.”)
Allen, Lake and Payton add moody voices to the ominous take of Andrew Hill’s “Tough Love” (which he recorded as a solo piano piece on the Palmetto release, “Dusk”) – here, it’s Revis’s rumbling bass and Evans’ jagged piano riffs that open up the piece for the braying trumpet and sharp-edged saxophones. It’s not all rampage – the trio plus Allen do a lovely take of Fats Waller’s “Lonesome Me” with the tenor lines being smooth and blues-drenched. Also, listen to the impressionistic piano of Evans. More impressionism on Paul Motian’s “Abacus” where the lead voice is Revis and his melodic bass lines.
Tarbaby rocks and rumbles, sways and soothes, and makes one pay attention. Take heed.
