String Trio of New York GUT REACTION (OMNITONE)

The String Trio of New York played their first professional gig in 1977. Twenty-six years later, guitarist James Emery, bassist John Lindberg, and violinist Rob Thomas are still making top recordings. This CD, cut live at New York’s Jazz Standard, offers provocative originals by Emery, Lindberg, and Dave Douglas, who was commissioned to write "In So Many Worlds," which is dedicated to the late pianist/composer Jaki Byard.

There’s excellent, no-nonsense soloing and intelligent, balanced ensemble work, including solid collective improvisation. Emery produces a tough, funky tone on acoustic guitar, and he develops his ideas intelligently, so that his solos always have a fine continuity. Thomas — the newest member of the group (in a chair previously held by Billy Bang, Charles Burnham, and Regina Carter) — turns in singing, lyrical legato work. An excellent technician, he nevertheless shows restraint and doesn’t step on his mates’ toes. And Lindberg’s work is relaxed and melodic and displays humor. "In So Many Worlds" is an exuberantly eclectic and good-natured portrait of the versatile and original Byard, — Dave Douglas deserves credit for getting it right. The creative solos, tasteful ensemble improvising, and substantive original compositions make this 17th album by the group a worthy addition to the discography .