Pete Roth Trio & Bill Bruford - Group Chat (2026)
Pete Roth Trio feat. Bill Bruford – Group Chat — 67/100 The interaction is the main strength. Pete Roth, Mike Pratt and Bill Bruford really do sound like three equal musicians reacting to each other rather than a guitarist with a rhythm section. That gives the album a lot of life, especially on the more open pieces. “Group Chat” is still my favourite. It has the best balance between structure and freedom, with enough dissonance and movement to keep the improvisation from becoming vague. “Looking Forward To Looking Back” is another strong track because it has more groove and a clearer shape than some of the rest. The Dvořák improvisation is interesting too, mainly because it changes the colour of the album and gives it a more chamber-like atmosphere. The problem is that I remember the playing more than the compositions . Several pieces are enjoyable while they are happening, but leave less behind afterward than I would want from a 70+ jazz album. Bruford is excellent, but that alone c...