Upon release in 2001, The Art of Three received polite reviews. JazzTimes called it "competent but safe." How wrong they were. In the two decades since, this album has become a among drummers and audiophiles.
The album's tracklist consists primarily of deeply intuitive takes on jazz standards and original compositions by the band members: Stella By Starlight
The year 2001 was a transitional period for jazz. Smooth jazz was dominating radio, while nu-jazz was creeping into lo-fi samples. Cobham rejected both. Instead, he returned to the acoustic virtue of "the trio"—the same format that birthed Live at the Village Vanguard . However, this is not polite, straight-ahead jazz. Tracks like "Stratus" (a reprisal of his 1973 classic) and "Red Baron" explode with the force of rock, yet retain the improvisational risk of bebop.
– 5:58 (For John Coltrane. Tyner-style fourths from Norris; Cobham’s cymbal work is a masterclass in texture.) Billy Cobham - The Art of Three -2001- -EAC-FLAC-
, the conversation usually starts with the explosive, "open-handed" power he brought to the Mahavishnu Orchestra or the psychedelic fusion of his seminal 1973 album,
Acoustic piano notes have sharp "attacks" when the hammers strike the strings. The secure rip ensures these transients are perfectly preserved, giving Kenny Barron’s piano runs a vivid, lifelike presence in the soundstage. Track Highlight and Listening Experience
Closing the album on a hopeful, lyrical note, this Disney standard from Snow White is transformed into a sophisticated jazz waltz. The arrangement is both playful and profound, a fitting end to an album that celebrates the joy and artistry of making music in its purest form. Upon release in 2001, The Art of Three
In an era of over-produced digital tracks, The Art of Three stands as a testament to live, organic interaction. The repertoire spans jazz standards and original compositions, all treated with a level of spontaneous "telepathy" only veterans of this caliber can achieve. It’s a masterclass in how to lead from the drum throne without drowning out the room.
Released in 2001, is a masterclass in acoustic jazz, featuring the legendary trio of Billy Cobham (drums), Kenny Barron (piano), and Ron Carter (bass). Recorded in January 2001 during a European tour with stops in Odense, Denmark, and Oslo, Norway, the album captures a rare meeting of three titans who, despite decades of mutual respect, had seldom performed as a unified trio. The Lineup: A Meeting of Giants
: Departures from Cobham's typical high-energy "thunder machine" fusion style, this set is a collaborative, acoustic hard bop and timeless trio session. Personnel : Billy Cobham : Drums, Producer. Kenny Barron : Piano. Ron Carter : Bass. Tracklist The album's tracklist consists primarily of deeply intuitive
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, the most recorded bassist in jazz history, delivers a warm, wooden, and rhythmically impeccable foundational pulse.
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