Broken Arm Trio — Self Tited

Broken Arm Trio is a mainly up-beat and very bassy sounding jazz trio featuring Cellist Erik Friedlander(solo & various John Zorn related projects) who also composed all the tracks here, Trevor Dunn( Mr Bungle, solo work & various Zorn related projects, etc) and Michael Sarin on Drums.

The project takes its name and sonic influence from respected jazz bass player Oscar Pettiford(1942–1960) who broke his arm while playing basketball as a young man and took up the cello instead due to the accident- he went onto become one of the  pioneers of the cello as a solo instrument in jazz music. And through-out the 12 tracks on offer here the cello comes off sounding very bass like, with Friedlander playing the instrument with just with his hands and bowless. The whole thing rather brought to mind the kind of bass led  jazzy stuff you might find on Tzadik; with in places Masada more bass led moments coming to mind - but with a less Jewish feel to the sound. The trio certainly twist and bend around each other in a up-beat yet still fairly pleasing and laid back manner; with the more interesting moments coming when they throw  in Spanish and classical type hints into the pieces & when the pace slows somewhat.

Unfortunately on the downside I did find in places it felt a little too samey and familiar in it’s tone and shape; which is always the problem with music that uses similar instruments in it’s make up. But taken in short doses this is enjoyable and rewarding & if you like you’re jazz with a very bass soaked feel this is most certainly for you.