Album Notes

Review in CADENCE Magazine, Apr-May-Jun 2011
Shanghai is a real Jazz piano trio recorded in China that features bassist Henry Franklin and pianist Bob Mocarsky. The pianist wrote or arranged everything here and though there's nothing earth-shatteringly new in his work, he is very good at working through the broad mainstream of jazz styles, swinging expansively on the waltz "Where Does Time Go" and the easy stroling "Orchids". Also, "Lotus Land" and "The Monsoons" are particularly pretty ballads. "Take The MTR-O," an ode to Shanghai's subway system, has Franklin and Chris Trczinski setting up a danceable Latin beat while Mocarsky rolls and shakes every which way and "Well Alrighty Then!" is a perky jog through the "Giant Steps" chord progression that shows the fun the members of this group have playing with each other. This is a very enjoyable trio session. -Jerome Wilson