Review: Katahdin's Edge - The Ridge (or) hiking quietly along the ridge

Posted on 6 June 2006 | 8 Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Jazz

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Now I’m mainly a punk and indie rock kinda guy, but I do (however) know great jazz when I hear it. Katahdin’s Edge is that kind of group. They are a progressive piano trio that straddles the fine line between Thelonious Monk and Radiohead. I know, it really isn’t that fine a line, but their rock-inspired jazz compositions effortlessly blend old and new into something truly unique.

Pianist (and Berklee alum) Willie Myette’s great sense of melody is perfectly countered by the trio’s rhythmic intensity, giving the music a little extra grit and punch. They manage to take improvisation, odd time signatures, and virtuosic playing and turn them into haunting avant-garde jazz that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. Hell, they were one of only a handful of jazz groups to play SXSW in 2006, and by all accounts they rocked the house. I was sent a copy of their latest CD The Ridge a few weeks back (buy it here) and haven’t stopped listening since then. RIYL: The Bad Plus, Brad Mehldau, Chris Potter, etc…

MP3 | Katahdin’s Edge – Glad You Called The Ridge
MP3 | Katahdin’s Edge – Broken Leg Blues Live @ Berklee 02/06

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