Upper Left Trio can boast being one of the more articulate and thoughtful new trios to emerge in the mainstream in the 21st century.
Continuing where they left off with their 2003 release, Cycling, the Portland-based Upper Left Trio takes the classic piano trio form down a whole new path. Influenced as much by modern jazz and pop conventions of the last 30 years as by the trios of Bill Evans, Red Garland and Keith Jarrett, UL3's virtuosity and inspired original compositions put them at the vanguard of modern piano jazz. Of pianist Clay Giberson, JazzScene writes "...he makes every note important and the singing quality of his piano is, at times, something very beautiful."
Track Listing:
1. Heads or Tails? 4:58
2. All I Want 5:45
3. Sell Your Soul Side 6:45
4. She Casts No Shadow 8:38
5. Comrade Camenzind 10:01
6. This Is Where I Find Peace 5:59
7. Not To Decide 4:55
8. Reason To Change 4:54
9. Prayer 4:01
Performers:
Clay Giberson - piano
Jeff Leonard - basses
Charlie Doggett - drums
Production Info:
Produced by Steven Cantor and Upper Left Trio
Recorded by Bob Stark, May 17 -19 2005, at Kung Fu Bakery, Portland, Oregon
Mixed by Bob Stark at Kung Fu Bakery, Portland, Oregon
Mastered by Ryan Foster at Freq. Mastering, Portland, Oregon
Band photos by Todd Bishop
Layout and design by John Bishop
Reviews of Sell Your Soul Side
All About Jazz (Dan McClenaghan)
Comparisons fly all over the place when writers try to describe the sound of an emerging pianist and his trio. From the percussive side the newcomer might get paired with Bud Powell, to use a past master, or McCoy Tyner, if we're going with a current player. On the other side of the spectrum there seem to be a lot of "young Bill Evanses" out there, ...
Radioio.com (Dr. Mike)
... there is a new group coming onto the jazz scene... fans of e.s.t. and the bad plus are going to enjoy this trio from portland oregon. they are called upper left trio and their new release, out january 17th, is entitled 'sell your soul side'... our pick of the week on radioioJAZZ...
... the upper left trio consists of clay giberson (piano); ...
All Music Guide (Adam Greenburg)
WERS Radio, Boston (Amy Swanson)
This is the second album from Portland-based jazz musicians Upper Left Trio. The band claim "electricity and audience with an open mind" as basic requirements on their website (simply, www.upperlefttrio.com). The upbeat and eclectic Sell Your Soul Side is produced by Origin Records, and indeed rewards the ready-for-anything listener, without being ...
Chicago Jazz Magazine, March/April 2006 (Paul Abella)
There seems to be a new brand of piano trios brewing in jazz today. Groups that are willing to ditch the common ideas of the piano-bass-drums trio format and come up with something completely their own. E.S.T., Katahdin's Edge and The Bad Plus have been doing things in this vein for years now. Through studio trickery, slick arrangements of pop t ...
Audiophile Audition (Paul Pelon IV)
Not all Jazz Trios can tear it up, The Upper Left Trio's album Sell Your Soul Side is like a frog in a blender. These cats know where it's at! The perfect spot for it is on this album.
Right down to the album artwork, Sell Your Soul Side is one of the freshest albums I've seen and heard all year. The laid back flow of the entire album is flaw ...
