Brad Mehldau
Largo

THE REVIEW

Traditional jazz lovers, beware, shoo, away!

This is JAZZ FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM. It's an endeavor that has nothing in common with what Brad has produced so far. It's complementary to albums by groups like Medeski, Martin & Wood, E.S.T., or Bad Plus, so to speak.

In 2002, the shy and introverted Brad decides to "expand" both the setup and sonic horizons. The classic trio no longer exists... never seen so many people in the studio: you start to notice vibraphones, flutes, oboes, bassoons, clarinets, treated pianos, electric basses, double drums (Jim Keltner and Matt Chamberlain, superb), guitar synth (Jon Brion, the producer of the album), and the icing on the cake, electronic sounds here and there.

But, beware: the album in question is strictly LIVE, on the floor, NO OVERDUBS, zero overlays. And this is one of the things that makes it a great album.

Mehldau loves merging the sacred and the profane, he is highly technically gifted, has an impressive independence of hands, but he doesn't worry about showing it off superficially; he is one with the INSTRUMENT and the MUSIC.

That said, it is interesting to note how, in the tracks offered, all courageous, fresh, and innovative (perhaps baffling for some - starting with "Dropjes" - but impossible to choose from), the typical pianism of our artist blends perfectly without EVER losing its essence. Three covers are offered: "Paranoid Android" by the much-loved Radiohead - an exhilarating rendition with a truly captivating NOISE interlude, and two excellent Beatles songs, not at all predictable, "Mother Nature's Son" mixed with "Wave" by Jobim, and "Dear Prudence".

This album, being experimental, is perhaps the least sold in Mehldau's career; it's an album you love or hate, immediately, after the first 30 seconds, but in the latter case, it's no problem, one keeps his others, and everyone in their own home!