The Black Market Trust

I got the Black Market Trust album 10 days ago and have listened to it almost every day since. Here's my review. The first thing that any modern-day gypsy-jazz fan will notice about this is: wow, it sounds like the best stuff the Gonzalo Bergara Quartet has done. That's obvious on its face, given that two of the three members of the Black Market Trust are in Gonzalo's band and the album has guest performances from every one of the other GBQ'ers (Rob Hardt on clarinet, Leah Zeger on violin and Gonzalo himself on bandoneon). But the similarity is more than the sound of the rhythm section (that "modern," crisp la pompe feel). There's also a similarity in types of arrangements, the neo-gypsy-jazz-meets-classical style, the focus on original compositions and the overall *sound* of the band. And these are all good things! Basically, if you like Gonzalo's last two albums ("Simplicated" and "Walking Home"), you definitely have to give this a listen. This is the album that Amazon.com algorithms should be bundling with "Walking Home": "People who like 'Walking Home' will also like 'Black Market Trust.'" Jeff (lead guitar) and Brian (bass) from the BMT are also in a Beatles cover band, so it's appropriate for me to make a Beatles analogy. Hearing this album is sort of like hearing George Harrison's first solo album ("All Things Must Pass") for the first time. You're like, "wow, I knew George was great in the Beatles, but I didn't realize how *much* he contributed to their sound! This sounds just like his old band, with some interesting, subtle twists." But getting to the music: like the GBQ, this band really shines when it does its own complicated arrangements. (Every song but one is an original.) Like the GBQ, there's some highly arranged classical-ish tunes, such as "Referential Integrity." Beyond that, though, one thing new here is the mix of gypsy jazz and pop elements, like pop-sounding piano and strings. The first tune, "Super-Standard," gives you a good taste of what I mean by that. Something as simple as a piano playing octaves and chords lightly in the background adds a new dimension to the sound that's really refreshing. It's got the familiar boom-chick -- yet goes beyond the boom-chick. It's instantly recognizable as gypsy jazz but is unlike anything else I've heard in the gypsy jazz world. This album has a diversity of styles. There's poppy ballad ("The Descent"), French musette ("The First Waltz"), straight gypsy ("Jason Jason"), honky-tonk/rockabilly [!] ("The J.B. Stomp"), classical/gypsy fusion ("Raise Your Glass"), new-school gypsy-jazz ("Good Morning") and classic medium-tempo swing ("Roll Credits" and "Waiting on Rob"). My favorite track is "Penny," which takes the Black Market Trust's arranging to the extreme. It's a ballad with Selmer-style guitars playing melody over a tear-jerking string arrangement. This needs to be in a movie soundtrack pronto.

Submitted by: adrianholovaty on 10/16/2012 09:09:45 AM

Jeff has put together a great album of original material with the rest of the guys. Brian and Chris provide the solid as ever rhythm section and hold it down incredibly well. All the songs contain Great melodies and musicality that are influenced by Rock and Pop sensibilities which makes for fun listening. Super Standard is a KCRW ready anthem that you can easily find yourself humming all day long. The album's progressions and ideas seem to come from a place that is much more concerned about the song and the choice of notes rather than a display of instrumental pyrotechnics (a feat that Jeff is more than capable of for anyone who has played with him). Preferring to let the songs do all the talking works very well to keep the feel and energy of the album consistent. the solos are well placed and well stated but not overbearing and the guest artist solos are top notch as expected. A highlight track has to be "Penny". An emotional and beautiful tune with a soaring string arrangement well crafted and full of space and atmosphere. Then there's The J.B. Stomp, full of rock and country licks as well as some awesome arpeggio playing over a swinging rhythm. a very fun tune to listen to again and again. Referential Integrity, in addition to having a clever name, is another awesome tune that goes through several different moods and paces and delivers with great playing, great arrangements, and a cool atmosphere. The contributions from Leah, Rob, and Gonzalo all add to the flavor of the record. All the tracks are good! get the album and see for yourself, you will not be disappointed, I know I wasn't!! -Maxwell

Submitted by: maxwellgarces on 10/15/2012 09:27:10 PM

You may have heard Jeff Radaich, the solo guitarist and premier songwriter, from his work as rhythm maestro in Gonzalo Bergara's Quartet, but you have not heard him like this. In The BMT, he shines through with ripping lead playing backed by one of the smoothest rhythm sections I've ever heard. The three of them lock in together and it just feels right. On top of all this, clarinetist Rob Hardt and violinist Leah Zeger sit in on a few tunes and absolutely shred. No kidding this band features world-class playing all around. The album contains 11 tracks, 10 of which are original by Jeff and the band. ALL of them are unbelievably catchy and well written. I'm glad to have them stuck in my head. The diversity of the compositions allows for the listening of the album time and time again. All the tracks are all gypsy jazz, but they all bring something completely new to the table at the same time. I've heard the album about eight times so far and it sounds like the greatest hits compilation of a great gypsy band over the course of decades. My personal favorites: "Super-Standard" Its incredibly familiar, yet new and exciting. The references to a famous rock song are very clever. I laughed when I finally realized what I had been hearing during the whole song. "Waiting on Rob" I assume Rob Hardt. This is probably the most relatable tune on the album. I've been humming it for days! "The First Waltz" A very 'pure' sounding waltz, that is, it sounds like a musette composition from back in the day. I have a good feeling about this one. "The J.B. Stomp" This song a just a good ol time. I think the melody of this one is my favorite. This album is a must have, definitely.

Submitted by: GageReviewForYou on 10/09/2012 07:55:01 PM