The Oscar Peterson Trio - Affinity (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series)

Affinity catches the Oscar Peterson Trio at its most graceful, a 1962 session reissued on 180-gram vinyl as part of the Verve Acoustic Sounds Series.

By the early sixties Peterson, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen had become one of the tightest units in jazz, honed by years of touring together. Recorded over three days in Chicago with Norman Granz producing, Affinity leans toward the lyrical side of the trio, with ballads and waltzes sitting alongside the expected swing.

The album opens with Waltz for Debby, Bill Evans's delicate melody given a light, sparkling touch, and Gravy Waltz, co-written by Ray Brown, has an easy, bluesy lilt. Tangerine swings with effortless bounce, and I'm a Fool to Want You is a hushed, beautiful ballad played with real restraint.

Thigpen's brushwork is a quiet marvel throughout, and Peterson's famous virtuosity is used sparingly, saved for moments where it lifts the song rather than overwhelming it. Brown's warm, woody bass anchors every tune, and the interplay between the three feels almost telepathic.

It is an ideal entry point for anyone who knows Peterson only as a speed demon, and a warm, intimate listen for longtime fans who want to hear the trio at its most relaxed and melodic.