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I recently got on another Avishai Cohen Trio kick, but there was something different about this run. Gently Disturbed (2008) wasn’t enough… I needed even more. So I did what my unsociable self does on the weekend, look for more music. I simply went on iTunes to see what else people purchased along with Gently Disturbed. Now usually when I do this, I will often spend hours poking through “Listener’s Also Bought” before I find another album worth purchasing. I guess my good luck from Atlantic City over New Year’s Eve simply hasn’t dwindled yet. Phronesis was only one click away from the Avishai Cohen Trio. That and an album name like Organic Warfare (2007) … I just felt like I was already on to something.

I listened to a couple clips on iTunes, but then I went to their MySpace page. There’s a quote on there referring to the band leader/composer, Jasper Hoiby, that sealed the deal for me:

“When I heard Jasper’s music I felt the simplicity that is most important as well as the challenging moments. Jasper is on his way to being a great band leader as he is already a good composer and bassist. I know I’m going to keep listening.”
     - Avishai Cohen

Enough said. That’s all I needed to see to know I had to purchase this album. 

I’m seeing it all over the place, and I have to agree. Phronesis is the best jazz trio I’ve heard since the Avishai Cohen Trio. They’re both new and fresh modern jazz trios, but there are some key differences. Organic Warfare has a stronger live feel to the recording. Gently Disturbed was a fantastic recording, but the tracks felt very structured for jazz. Actually, I really loved that about it, especially since seeing the songs performed live was a completely different experience and just as amazing. However, it’s going to be a while before I’ll get a chance to see Phronesis live since they’re from London and I don’t see any US dates yet. So, it’s nice get a stronger live vibe on their album until then.

Organic Warfare is a diverse and vibrant modern/progressive jazz album. The album is a journey itself, but it never diverges too far into unfamiliar territory. There is an ample selection of moods and tempos, but not delivered all at once. Every track leaves you wanting more as if it were an appetizer and you just ordered the house sampler. This is an amazing debut for Phronesis and I can’t wait to see how they’ll continue to push the envelope in progressive jazz.