Prog

The bassist, pianist, and drummer who play in The Bad Plus showcase their musical talent and unusual style in their newest release "Prog."The record gives each member of the band a chance to shine. For example, on the first track there is a very fast piano part that sounds outstanding and makes the somewhat quiet piece seem exciting and rushed. Also, toward the end of the first song, the drummer shows off his skill as well. The piano and bass player play simple parts while the drummer bangs away at his instruments in a controlled, but frenetic way.

Track two demonstrates the chemistry between the three performers-?the instruments blend together seamlessly, but they also could stand independently and wouldn't need to rely on the other parts to sound good.

Track two becomes even more interesting in the middle. The song takes on a completely different sound than it had in the beginning. The bass player and drummer keep a steady beat going while the pianist plays a couple of very angry-sounding dissonant chords. After about 20 seconds the song picks up where it left off in the beginning; it's a completely different feel, but the change is effortless.

"Prog" is very different from other jazz albums I've heard. It's smooth at times and aggressive at others. Each song will keep you guessing about what sort of sound or style will come next.