[TR24][OF] Brian Baggett Trio - 2012 - 2013 (Post-Bop, Modern Jazz, Standards)

Standards inspired by Jim Hall, Bill Evans, Kurt Rosenwinkel.
22 JAM D E C EMB E R 2 0 1 2 + J ANU A R Y 2 0 1 3

Guitarist Brian Baggett’s new CD is a compelling, innovative standards album.
You may have also heard Baggett as the guitarist in Ken Lovern’s OJT or as the leader
and guitarist of the fusion/rock band DOJO. A talented, skilled guitarist with a foot in more than one city, Baggett performs regularly in KC, manages Supersonic Music in Lawrence, and teaches at Ottawa University. Reminiscent of the Jim Hall style on this album, Baggett’s playing is often sparse, but Baggett says a lot with each note; he chooses with wisdom, artistry, and grace. Baggett’s guitarist voice is clear, bright, and intelligent--and wisely, vibrantly understated.
One of the most compelling tracks on this CD is Baggett’s group’s rendition of the standard “Solar,” executed with a funky fusion feel. Upbeat, contemporary, but still grounded in the roots of the original, Baggett’s version of “Solar” feels a little like Chick Corea’s Electrik Band meets Sonic Youth. Baggett’s playing is at first sparse and contemplative, but heats up and gets busy as the tune progresses--and everything about this track is forward moving, solar hot: from yellow flame to blue flame hot.