Mark Wade, Tim Harrison and Scott Neumann -  the Mark Wade Trio - need not be afraid of the second album syndrome as Moving Day, released earlier this year on Edition 46 is the perfect second album.

The title track, Moving Day, opens the listening beautifully. Eight minutes of flowing melodies and accentuated tones all leading one to a crescendo of happiness and feel good. A real positivity exudes from the piece. And then we move on to tracks like Something Of A Romance which, as the title suggests, is utterly romantic. The emotional transparency of the composition is all there; Wade explains on his press sheet that it is to do with the uncertainty of a new relationship, of not knowing whether this is going to work out, of a natural insecurity that we all feel when we first get to know somebody. And the notes cry out just that.

What I have heard and re-listened over and over on Moving Day is a sheer motivation to highlight the traits that are our human frailty, our emotions and simple truths. To be noted: Tim Harrison shines on piano, his creativity comes through again and again on this new album. His playing makes Moving Day simply moving.

Queens-based Wade had a successful 2016 with the release of his debut album Event Horizon, one of my favourite albums of that year, and went on to be voted one of the top 10 bassists of that year in the Down Beat Readers’ Poll. An incredible year and successful album! A year or so later the story continues with Moving Day, and its great compositions and arrangements.

Apart from two of the tracks on the album, Another Night in Tunisia, a mighty interpretation of the Gillespie tune, and Autumn Leaves (J Josma - sung originally by Yves Montand in the French film “Les Portes de la Nuit” - 1946), all the compositions are by Wade.

An album that goes from upbeat to utterly romantic tonalities, Moving Day marks a further stage in Wade and his Trio’s evolvement. This is not just a second album, it is a second chapter in a book that promises to surprise, move and make one ponder on men and how beautiful life can be!

Jazz at its best.

Personnel:

Mark Wade - Bass

Tim Harrison - Piano

Scott Neumann - Drums