Theo Hill - Reality Check (2020) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

We really love the music of Theo Hill more and more with each new record – and here, the pianist is working in a quartet with Joel Ross on vibe – a player who makes a perfect partner for his music! Both Hill and Ross have this open sense of sound and timing – often using the spaces between the notes as much as the notes themselves – even when things are moving at a more full-on level, which they do often – thanks to contributions from Rashaan Carter on bass and Mark Whitfield on drums! Yet it's the sonic interplay between the vibes and keys that really blow us away – maybe especially at the few points when Theo picks up Fender Rhodes, and balances out the record with even more warmth next to his acoustic tracks. Titles include a version of the Stevie Wonder classic "Superwoman" – plus originals "Guardians Of Light", "Afrofuturism", "Scene Changes", "Mantra", "Swell", and "Song Of The Wind".

Tracklist:
1. Blue Poles (5:50)
2. Swell (4:05)
3. Guardians Of Light (5:32)
4. Afrofuturism (7:30)
5. Scene Changes (3:34)
6. Mantra (6:37)
7. Superwoman (4:08)
8. Aquanaut (5:59)
9. Pressing The Issue (6:26)
10. Song Of The Wind (5:06)

Personnel:
Theo Hill (p)
Joel Ross (vib)
Rashaan Carter (b)
Mark Whitfield Jr. (ds)