John Patitucci - Spirit Fall (2025) (Hi-Res)

Influenced by Ray Brown and Ron Carter, standup bassist John Patitucci is best known for his time spent with Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter. Many of his most recent albums have been in configurations with drummer Brain Blade, and on Spirit Fall, the two team with tenor and soprano saxophonist Chris Potter as the John Patitucci Trio. Recorded in one day at Brooklyn's Bunker studio, this session is composed entirely of original Patitucci compositions with the exception of Shorter's "House of Jade." Trio formats allow for lots of soloing freedom for each player and on "Deluge on 7th Ave," Patitucci slides into the groove via a lengthy opening solo. Potter follows, playing the tune's winding midtempo melody while the ever-resourceful Blade adds tasteful cymbal, tom and snare work in the background. At the center of the track is Patitucci's fully absorbed solo playing, a skill that makes him one of the most recognizable bass voices today. The title track opens with Patitucci playing bass in its higher, guitar-like register before Potter enters on soprano saxophone, weaving a dexterous line where at times he's blowing hard and at other moments he's easing into long melodic lines.

"Lipím" is another groover with Patitucci and Blade setting the pace while the talented Potter plays. His ideas and tone gain extra weight through multiple overdubs before he stretches out on tenor. The Latin-tinged "Sonrisa" is a welcome change of rhythms. And while the musical variations in trios of any makeup are limited, Spirit Fall is buoyed by the innovative conceptions of Blade and Potter and their obvious instrumental muscle. Bass-led trios are rare, and Patitucci is one of the few players and composers who can pull it off. © Robert Baird

Tracklist
1. Think Fast (6:51)
2. Pole Star (6:58)
3. Deluge on 7th Ave (6:03)
4. Thoughts and Dreams (3:41)
5. Spirit Fall (6:18)
6. Lipím (7:40)
7. Silent Prayer (4:53)
8. House of Jade (6:53)
9. Light in the Darkness (2:51)
10. Sonrisa (6:51)