TRYPL, the eponymously titled debut album release, is the happy result of a long professional and personal relationship of three first-call UK instrumentalists, trombonist Trevor Mires, trumpeter Ryan Quigley and saxophonist Paul Booth, and their desire to combine their considerable talents in expressing their love of Latin jazz.
Over the past 15 years or so, they have played individually or together in various salsa, boogaloo and merengue bands. TRYPL (an acronym of their first names: TrevorRYanPauL) wisely enlisted an outstanding Latin rhythm section featuring pianist Alex Wilson, bassist Dimitris Christopoulos, percussionist Edwin Sanz and drummers Tristan Banks and Davide Giovannini.
The album was recorded at the acclaimed Wincraft Studios, Steve Winwoods’ private recording studio in the beautiful Cotswolds.
The album’s opener BoJo is a medium tempo groove dedicated to two members of Steve Winwood’s touring crew: Bo and Jo, not a certain Prime Minister as one might assume.
The ostinato bassline leads to tasty relaxed horn lines from the full horn section evoking the joyfulness of mid-70s, Horace Silver, Latinised jazz.
Montuno piano backed up with bass, congas and cowbell set up a brassy trumpet solo from Quigley, who eventually soars over the emphatic rhythm. Booth’s post-bop NYC tenor sax sound (à la Brecker/Berg/Mintzer axis) of gritty expressiveness follows a dark rhythm riff underscoring the conga solo from Sanz preceding the horn melody.
The playing is tight, complemented by great dynamics and a fantastic sound. Horns interplay in the out chorus in party fashion, running a little wild to the fade.
This album exudes tremendous enjoyment and is a testament to the healing power of Latin jazz at its best.