Geordie Haley Trio

Rock solid in its conception, Polar Bears is improvised music with the benefit of forethought. Guitarist Haley’s compositions are each unique, ranging from the walking motif of "Fritz” to the icy abstractions of the title piece, and they benefit from the ground-up work the trio have put into building their organic cohesion. Scott Thomson, trombonist extraordinaire, plays with Roswell Rudd raucousness but his tone can get eerily whispery. Drummer Nick Fraser is never at a loss for new ways to hit, stroke, pummel or caress his kit. He can sound like Max Roach or someone falling down a flight of stairs, whatever it takes to make the tunes speak. And don’t even start to think the trio are a Motian Trio clone; these guys are way more aggressive. Haley’s guitar tone is rip-your-face-off strong and his improv ideas are fearlessly adventurous. The trombone could be stronger in the mix, however. Get Polar Bears and be transported.