Quiet Conversations in the Trio
Gentle, melodic, and surprisingly democratic, this is a subtle set that rewards repeat listens.
Put on X Man and the first thing you notice is how quiet it is. For a record built around a drummer with a reputation for force, Andrew Cyrille keeps the dynamics low and the textures open. James Newton's flute floats over Alix Pascal's soft acoustic guitar, while Anthony Cox's bass anchors things without ever getting heavy. The tempos mostly sit in a relaxed middle range, and the mood is conversational rather than combative.
What stands out is how evenly the record is shared. Each player contributed two compositions, and the solos rotate with little sense of hierarchy, so every musician gets a real turn in the spotlight and then steps back into the ensemble. Pascal is the newest voice here and the one most likely to be unfamiliar, and his understated playing gives the set much of its character. Newton's flute brings a light, lyrical quality, and Cox and Cyrille keep the rhythm moving with a steady, attentive touch.
In Cyrille's catalog, this is a side trip rather than a centerpiece. It was recorded in May 1993 at Sear Sound in New York and released by Soul Note in 1994, and it isn't the place to start if you want his most forceful work. AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow called it a subtle set that grows more interesting with each listen, and that's a fair description. Listeners who enjoy small-group interplay that favors melody over display will likely find it rewarding.
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