Variations is a demonstration that jazz is a global language, and this trio speaks it very well! The mastery by which Sean Foran(piano), John Parker(drums) and Pat Marchisella(bass) express their musical views is delightful to listen to. They possess the vocabulary of well-trained musicans, with a well traveled dialect in the classics, as well as modern interpretations. The opening track, "Island of the Sun", pulsed on the kick drum beats and ostinato laid down by Parker. Foran built on that strong groove and even when the song went quiet, you could hear that power pent up under the pulsing beat of the strings of Marchisella's bass. At about 2:00 into the song, the trio launches into an explosion of energy then transitions into a sensuous exchange of solos, the work of Marchisella being the highlight of that track.

 I was only half-way through the first listen and I had become hooked on the style of Trichotomy. I has heard enough to know that these guys knew each other well, knew their music better, and had become one. So the rest of the listen, and the entire review for that matter had become a real treat. I couldn't wait to hear what they would put forth next.