Características
"Undercurrent" is the first of two excellent albums recorded during two sessions by Bill Evans and guitarist Jim Hall in April and May 1962. Arrangements exclusively for piano and guitar are rare in jazz, and even rarer is the result as inspiring and musically rewarding as in this case. Usually intuitive musical relationships develop over a period of quite a few years, but here are two musicians who clearly understand each other from the start.
Both are in top form on this LP - Bill Evans was under pressure in the early and mid-60s; after the tragic death of his previous musical partner, virtuoso bassist Scott Le Faro, at the age of only 23, he was looking for a new direction. Jim Hall is a guitarist of enormous talent and great technique, with highly developed sense of rhythm and harmony radiating from this album. What is absolutely special about this recording is an almost telepathic anticipation of where the music is going - both musicians contribute equally, there is a constant exchange of ideas, each responding to the other with obvious ease, whatever the mood.
This is a brilliant jazz album of great depth and impressive atmosphere, and both players show exceptional inventiveness. Highly recommended!
Bill Evans (p); Jim Hall (g)
Side 1
1. My Funny Valentine
2. I Hear A Rhapsody
3. Dream Gypsy
Side 2
1. Romain
2. Skating In Central Park
3. Darn That Dream