PAT METHENY - Side Eye NYC V1.IV 2LP

Metheny’s third album since his return from a five year release hiatus sees him focus on the trio project he toured extensively during that absence.

Side-Eye is a format in which the guitarist works with a wide variety of younger players, in this case Marcus Gilmore (drums) and James Francies (keys). The interplay and sheer musicality is set to max and there’s a breadth of arrangement that makes the trio sound like a small orchestra. The group goes from lyrical to contemplative to barnstorming over the course of 14 minute opener It Starts When We Disappear that recalls the halcyon days of the Pat Metheny Group without in any way sounding retrograde. Then it’s on a delightful interpretation of an actual PMG composition, Better Days Ahead. There are new compositions, further re-renderings and perennial Ornette Coleman favourite Turnaround.