Bassist Zack Lober’s trio with trumpeter Suzan Veneman and drummer Sun-Mi Hong delivers an entertaining and lucid half-hour of original compositions on NO FILL3R. The music was recorded live in the famed Wisseloord Studios in The Netherlands, and the setting contributes to the lively interplay among the musicians. The tunes are mostly by Lober. We’re also treated to one each by Veneman (Loved Ones) and Hong (Sun Drums), along with the collectively composed title track. Lober is originally from Montréal, lived and played in New York City for more than a decade, and moved to The Netherlands in 2019. Trumpet, bass, and drums is one of the more perilous ensemble instrumentations, but Lober, Veneman and Hong navigate the territory with keen aplomb and a refreshing sense of mutual reinforcement. Trumpeter Veneman has a warm tone that’s centered in the lower reaches of her horn, and she displays plenty of imagination in her conversational improvising style. Lober’s sturdy bass lines, which remind me of Dave Holland’s quintet work in the Nineties, works quite well with drummer Hong and her dynamic approach to drums and cymbals. It’s a formidable ensemble, and my only complaint is that the set is too short. It’s one of the great pleasures of reviewing new releases to encounter talents that are new to you. Maybe next time out, they can get more expansive, but for now NO FILL3R is well worth hearing.
ZenneZ 023002; Suzan Veneman (tpt) Zack Lober (b) Sun-Mi Hong (d); Hilversum, The Netherlands, August 24-25, 2021; Mid Music/ Force Majeure/ A Hymn/ No Fill3r/ Blues/ Chop Wood/ Sun Drums/ Luck (Alice)/ Loved Ones; 30:44. www.zennezrecords.com
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