The Winnipeg Free Press
Local guitarist Keith Price has had some excellent releases over the years that reflect various aspects of his restless musical and compositional styles. This new release is a fine trio album with Jeff Presslaff on piano and Graydon Cramer drums. Within a constantly engaging improvisational interplay, it is a compelling mix of melodic, almost new age or minimalist moments and fiery free-wheeling patterns. The trio is extremely egalitarian, and Price is generous in his writing as well as his playing. Presslaff is quite extraordinary on piano throughout. The album opens with 6 Chords Commentary featuring a very quiet statement by Presslaff before the trio winds up to drive that statement forward. Angular tracks like The Halfway Three lead into gentle melodic tunes like Tearsilver. The minimalist sense is often marked by repeated phrases that allow time and space for improvisation. Cramer’s drumming is perfectly matched to the tone of the trio, and their collective sensitivity is tangible. I think at times we all tend to look far afield to find examples of simply top notch jazz when we should pay closer attention to how we are blessed with the talent here at home. This album stands up to any wider comparisons. Repeated listenings only deepen the intensity and/or the sense of peace in these tracks. I can only hope Trio Antipodes keeps playing and recording.
The band has been on a brief tour, but will be at the Centre Culturel Franco- Manitobain for Mardi Jazz on April 2nd.
Rated – ****
Stream these – The Halfway Three, Living With Loss Keith Black
