From Sun to Sun

iTunes Review

Sam Yahel’s From Sun to Sun is a thoroughly enjoyable piano trio album. For years, Yahel was known for his Hammond B3 organ playing; he’s worked with artists such as Joshua Redman, Maceo Parker, and Bill Frisell. In 2009, he released Hometown, where he switched to piano and was accompanied by bassist Matt Penman and drummer Jochen Rueckert. Those two also appear here and they are a most simpatico rhythm section. Once again, Yahel focuses on the acoustic piano, but he also subtly employs organ on “After the Storm,” “Blink and Move On,” and the title track. Yahel’s original compositions are pleasingly melodic and the band has a great sense of groove. “2 Pilgrims” effortlessly combines hard swinging, splashy chords that evoke exotica, and more modernist touches. The delightful “Toy Balloon” has the light, airy quality that its title suggests, and “Git It” is a gospel-tinged workout that finds Rueckert effectively roughing things up with rattling drums. The album closes with the classical grace of “Prelude” and a post-bop take on Vernon Duke’s 1940 classic, “Taking a Chance on Love.”