Eri Yamamoto Trio

With its unexpected mix of Paul Bley and Mose Allison, pianist Eri Yamamoto's aesthetic encompasses the exotic, like "Blue in Tunisia," the abstractly lyrical, like "Attraction of the Moon," and the funky, like "We'll Figure Out Blues." You can hear just how cohesive this long-standing trio are on "I Was Born," where the joyous groove is the result of everyone feeding from the same propulsive rhythmic fire. Yamamoto doesn't try to dazzle with technique. Instead, she deliberately keeps things simple, clear and to the point, thereby achieving an earthy eloquence. Bassist David Ambrosio contributes strong lines, often using tricky double-stops with casual grace. And drummer Ikuo Takeuchi delivers the kind of support that leads the way as much as it beautifully underpins the compositions and the improvisations that follow. All of the CD's ten tracks are painted with bluesy hues, making for a listener-friendly vibe.