Chick Corea: Trilogy

Recording technology is so portable nowadays, many major artists can afford to record every concert and decide later what to release. Indeed, some musicians – Keith Jarrett for instance – seem increasingly to prefer the energy and spontaneity of the concert hall to the relative sterility of the studio. This mammoth triple CD from pianist Chick Corea – recorded live over a two-year period in concert halls as far afield as California, Slovenia and Japan – represents an engrossing, in-depth portrait of a working trio. With his brittle tone and clinical execution, Corea can leave some people cold, but there is no denying the heat when this trio start to cook, particularly as it features the current crown prince of the drum set, Brian Blade, and master bassist Christian McBride. chickcorea.com