Javier Rosario Trio - Javier Rosario Trio, Vol. 2: Yes! (2023)

I first heard guitarist Javier Rosario a couple of years ago on an earlier album, and was impressed by his unique mix of metal and concise swing. This latest album of his, in a trio setting (co-produced with drummer Zak King and bassist Scott Kiefner), is even stronger as it includes a confidence and tighter group interplay than before.

He plays electric guitar has a nice bite to it, at times reminiscent of Jeff Beck, like when he digs in on the rapid run of “Carry On”, and swift and snappy as he swerves with clarity around King’s sticks on “Shades of Grey”. Rosario is able to be creative in mixing chopping chords between answering lines with John McLaughlin-like speed during pieces like “It Is” and the shadowy turn to bright light “In Between The Seas”. Kiefner gets some nice solo space during the charge and retreat of the ricocheting “Rainbows” , with King rumbling and tumbling during the fun bopper of “It Changes”. Fun on the frets.