In the decade between the mid 1970’s and 80’s, American pianist/composer Stu Goldberg was a major force on the world jazz scene; pianist with John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra, he also worked with the likes of Wayne Shorter and Freddie Hubbard before moving to Los Angeles in 1985 to pursue an award-winning career composing for films. On this Live 1982 recording, Goldberg teams up with possibly the greatest European rhythm section of that era: bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Jon Christenson. Members of Keith Jarrett’s legendary European Quartet, the two also worked with such jazz greats as fellow Dane Jan Garbarek, Charles Loyd, and were the rhythm section on the highly regarded MPS albums Alto Summit and Steve Kuhn’s Watch What Happens. Goldberg bases Baiao on a rich Northeast Brazilian musical style. The trio melts into this amalgam of indigenous, African and European music. Stu’s New Love begins with his beautiful balladic a cappella intro before sliding into a relaxed folky groove. This rhapsodic piece features a virtuoso bass solo, a minor-key mid-East interlude, and a jazzy swing section. Morning Star shines on Goldberg’ impressionistic intro and then sets into a comfortable 3/4 groove, bright interplay between Palle, Jon and Stu and a short whirlwind section. Les Cedres De Maxime features Palle’s bravura bass solo, while Red Skies presents the three at their creative lyrical best, as they play back and forth with melodies and rhythms. An imposing piano trio album!