Secret Exit to Another Dimension

After his years with the Jef Neve trio, the Antwerp double bassist Piet Verbist has not been idle. Now he forms a trio with guitarist Hendrik Braeckman, who you know from the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, and the versatile drummer Lionel Beuvens.

Verbist has a deep warm sound that shines here in all its glory. He can also write beautiful melodies such as "A Noble Trice", which reminds me a bit of Pat Metheny, or the whimsical "In Peace With Gravity".
"Minikin Milan", dedicated to Verbist's son, breathes all tenderness. But the most striking track is "Secret Exit", in which the trio, fueled by Braeckman's strongly distorted guitar, seem to have found the exit to a different sound dimension. Covers by Charlie Parker (Cheryl) and Monk (Pannonica) also show how well this trio has mastered the jazz language. No wonder Braeckman also declares his love in "Ji Ha" to Jim Hall, the most subtle of all jazz guitarists.

A CD full of strong and tasteful jazz pleasure.

Translated from Flemish