Regular Columnists

Artist: Band:Bob Mamet Trio
Album: Impromptu
Label: Counterpoint Records
Website: http://www.counterpointrecords.com/
Genre: Jazz
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10
Commercial Value: 10/10
Overall Talent Level: 10/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Venice Waltz, At Play, Until Morning, Illinois Road
CD Review: Impromptu, the new release from The Bob Mamet Trio is smart, sexy, and definitely one of the most listenable albums of the year. The trio consists of Bob Mamet on piano, Darek Oles on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums but the sum is more than the parts. Mamet provides a dazzling array of tunes and the band swings. Every song is a joyful work of art.

The cool Impromptu kicks of the CD with Mamet's smooth piano and a very memorable tune. Mamet's flair for melody is quickly evident. Cats On A Roof sounds just like it's name, cool and quick-footed. Oles and LaBarbera's rhythm section cooks like a hot tin roof and Mamet's piano line bounces crazily. Venice Waltz is a 3/4 time, moody jazz piece with one of Mamet's smoky evocative melodies. It's easily one of my favorite tunes on the album. At Play is hot jazz with Oles laying down a hard bass line and LaBarbera beating out 16th beats on the highhats. Needless to say, it swings. Until Morning is sweetly tender and again Mamet shows himself as the master of melody. This melody is so beautifully written that it's instantly memorable.

Impromptu is a remarkable album from a very talented composer. I will be listening to this again and again and my wife has already asked to borrow it. This is jazz at its best. I can't recommend Impromptu from the Bob Mamet Trio highly enough. It's one of the best albums I've heard this year.