THE THIRD QUARTET

Excellent album of electric jazz/fusion guitar veteran John Abercrombie. In the first decade of new century he plays very aerial, extremely elegant and tasteful contemporary jazz. His electric guitar is only electric instrument on all recording, it's supported by acoustic rhythm section and violin.

John's collaborators on this album are really great: drummer Joey Baron and violinist Mark Feldman both are known by collaborations with John Zorn, and were long-time Masada members as well.

Interplay between electric guitar and acoustic violin are fantastic: if you remember Masada's violin sound, played by Feldman, you can easily imagine, how much warm and melancholic elements his violin can produce! Recording sound is very acoustic, in minimalistic production tradition of ECM recordings.

Rhythm section is ascetic, but very competent. You will hardly find such a great balance between high art and accessibility in contemporary jazz. For sure, there are no fusion at all, so this album is a real gem, but for highest class jazz lovers only.