Gilbert Isbin Trio – Yes Love

Track Listing:
1. Yes Love – 4:10   2. Gift To The Fall – 3:30   3. Observation – 3:38   4. A Fine Day – 2:45   5. Blue In Green – 4:46   6. Sky And Sand – 3:57   7. Aquest Amor – 4:54   8. Singsong – 3:47   9. Wawacou – 3:56   10. Troubled – 4:07   11. Wellspring – 3:21   12. Peace Piece – 2:03

Personnel:
Gilbert Isbin (lute) , Xavier Rau (double bass) , Peter Vangheluwe (percussion)

Linernotes:
Gilbert Isbin is a consummate musician and a gifted composer. Over the years he has worked and recorded with some of the finest musicians in the jazz and improvisation scene such as Cameron Brown, Joe Fonda, Scott Walton, Hugh Hopper, Jeff Gauthier, Vinny Golia, John Ruocco, Ernst Reijseger, Jaap Blonk, Michel Godard, Wolfgang Reisinger, Chris Joris, …
His style is very poetic and influenced by  contemporary classical, jazz and early music. 
Isbin plays both electric and acoustic guitars, and only a couple of years ago he started studying and playing the lute. His compositions (guitar, lute and ensemble) are published by Berben Edizioni Musicali, Mel Bay, The UK Lute Society and Kindle Publishing (Amazon).
On many occasions Isbin has worked with double bassist Xavier Rau and percussionist Peter Vangheluwe.
The word uncommon comes up when describing his unique lute-led trio with a double bassist and a drummer. “Yes Love” is the fruitful result of their intense collaboration. 
Although mostly Isbin’s own compositions there is also that great Bill Evans/Miles Davis classic “Blue In Green”, as well as Jan Garbarek’s “Singsong”, a wonderful melody with constant harmonic modulations. “Wawacou” and “Troubled” from Isbin’s “Spring Cleaning” album get fresh new arrangements. “Gift To The Fall” is from the “Venice Suite” CD and sounds very airy and open. Isbin’s melodic lines and Rau’s warm and full-bodied sound are coloured by the intelligent fills of percussionist Vangheluwe. The recording engineer has done an amazing job and the music has a crystal clear and sparkling sound. This album is a treat for all music lovers. 

Jos Demol (Jazz'Halo)