Greg Burk, Steve Swallow & Bob Moses - Nothing, Knowing (2005)

Pianist Greg Burk's explorative music covers a wide range of idioms. Sometimes his out-of-tempo ruminations recall Paul Bley, and he is joined and stimulated by two of Bley's former sidemen, bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bob Moses. But on the 19-minute "Truth Be Bold," Burk's intense and free playing is closer to that of Cecil Taylor, while some of the briefer selections swing in their own fashion. This program definitely keeps one guessing, for Burk is difficult to easily categorize as anything but a creative jazz musician. His interplay with his sidemen is nearly telepathic at times (they all have big ears) and they consistently shift musical directions and share thoughts together. Listeners who enjoy explorative and passionate jazz improvising will definitely want this outing.

Review by Scott Yanow