John Abercrombie, the American jazz guitarist, must have long since tired of hearing that he should be as famous as Pat Metheny or John Scofield. But although he uncommercially opted for a chamber-musical style, he has always retained a diamond-hard clarity and expressive lyricism. This set covers his neglected early work with a quartet featuring pianist Richie Beirach, bassist George Mraz and drummer Peter Donald. It’s uneven and could have been trimmed a little, but Abercrombie’s bright, delicate sound and fast-moving improv, Beirach’s harmonic sophistication and Mraz’s rich, husky bass tone give the music a power and punch. Arcade is startlingly emphatic and insistent, with Beirach in Herbie Hancockish mood; he and Beirach skip and waltz together on Paramour; Blue Wolf turns from free-ensemble wanderings to fast free-swing; and M, the third disc, features some of the leader’s most inventive, reflective playing. Abercrombie connoisseurs and improv-guitar fans in general will relish it.
