Label: Odradek Records, 2022
Personnel - Spyros Manesis: piano; Arionas Gyftakis: bass; Anastasis Gouliaris; drums.
Hailing from Greece, the Spiral Trio consists of pianist Spyros Manesis, bassist Arionas Gyftakis, and drummer Anastasis Gouliaris, and their focus spans from calm jazzy ambiences to fearlessly rhythmically incursions. Their eponymously titled first album was composed mostly of renditions of jazz standards, but for this sophomore effort, Broken Blue, all three members contribute compositions, whose execution puts up with written and improvised sections. A step forward in the definition of their identity as a trio.
Manesis’ “Rubicon” makes a beautiful entry, providing an ear-catching experience that takes us to the subtlety and lyricism of Bill Evans. It’s a brushed 4/4 ballad expressed with a light touch and heartfelt melody. More Keith Jarrett than Evans, the Gouliaris-penned “Hig” hides the tempo behind clever rhythmic detail. The piano hooks are temporarily dropped for Gyftakis’ ponderous solo infused by a few hammer-ons and slides.
The edgy title track signals tangled bop linings and bluesy insinuations, often becoming fractal before a fleet swinging motion welcomes intense solos from the threesome. The bounce of “Bipolar", whose harmony was based on Miles Davis’ “Solar”, is imbued with joy, effortlessly crossing modern routes and traditional avenues. Including a silvery bass solo and exchanges with the drummer, this one feels like a breathe of fresh air after Michel Legrand’s “Once Upon a Summertime”, a slow waltz that stretches for longer than necessary.
Some tunes are more memorable than others, and the trio opts not to charge toward the end, embracing a more restraint posture. However, before that, Gyftakis’ “Ding Dong” finds ways to keep our ears alert through a complex theme lit with excitement, mystery and resolve. It’s a daring exercise in open form, whose flow is pretty catchy.
Despite the quibbles I’ve mentioned above, the trio is on the right track. It’s a totally listenable album that is ready to give way more visibility to the trio.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Rubicon ► 03 - Broken Blue ► 06 - Ding Dong