CD review: Charles Lloyd – Trio Of Trios 2022: Video, CD cover

Charles Lloyd has long been a free spirit, master musician, and visionary. For more than 6 decades the legendary saxophonist and composer has loomed large over the music world, and at 84 years old he remains at the height of his powers and as prolific as ever.

As a sound seeker, Lloyd’s restless creativity has perhaps found no greater manifestation than on his latest masterwork Trio of Trios, an expansive project that encompasses three albums, each a deft change of musical context that presents him in a different trio setting. The first album in the series, Trios: Chapel (out June 24, 2022), features guitarist Bill Frisell and bassist Thomas Morgan. The second, Trios: Ocean (out September 23, 2022), features guitarist Anthony Wilson and pianist Gerald Clayton. The third, Trios: Sacred Thread (out November 18, 2022), features guitarist Julian Lage and percussionist Zakir Hussain.

CD1

1. Desolation Sound (3:20)
2. Guman (4:14)
3. Nachekita’s Lament (9:24)
4. Saraswati (1:54)
5. Kuti (7:52)
6. Tales of Rumi (8:48)
7. The Blessing (3:25)

CD2

1. The Lonely One (12:19)
2. Hagar of the Inuits (8:53)
3. Jaramillo Blues (For Virginia Jaramillo and Danny Johnson) (10:03)
4. Kuan Yin (10:08)

CD3

1. Blood Count (7:24)
2. Song My Lady Sings (9:00)
3. Ay Amor (7:20)
4. Beyond Darkness (9:49)
5. Dorotea’s Studio (12:20)