If you believe the categorisation by label and imagination, Cross Currents, the new album by bassist Mark Egan, is a jazz album. But as soon as the first notes start playing, the jazz doesn't really materialise. No jazz? Somehow not either. And jazz-rock? More like rock jazz. But that's not the whole story.

What is true is that Cross Currents is a very groovy album. Together with drummer Shawn Pelton and guitarist Shane Theriot, Egan plays exquisitely laid back. The harmonies are often clear, but still harbour a few surprises. Not too wild and experimental, of course, but rather animating to keep the listener entertained.

Incidentally, one trick for the sonic richness is that the trio - of course - played in threes, but in parts twice. Complementary guitar riffs, additional percussion - the perceived quartet and quintet line-ups are overdubs and overlays. It's as simple as that if you want something more and want to retain the intimacy of a trio.

The result is 11 tracks that entertain for just under 55 minutes and present their excellent acoustic quality with a finely differentiated stage, so that listening to Egan, Pelton and Theriot through loudspeakers and headphones is equally enjoyable.

Incidentally, Cross Currents is available as a native studio master in 96 kHz and 24 bit exclusively from HighResAudio. (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Mark Egan, bass, fretless bass
Shawn Pelton, drums, percussion
Shane Theriot, electric and acoustic guitars

Recorded July 2023 at Power Station New England
Engineered by Evan Bakke
Produced by Mark Egan