"Reviews: The Forster-Hammond Trio - The Prom Bar, Gloucester Road"

If any sound could define sixties modern jazz it would, arguably, be the distinctive wail of the Hammond B3 organ.

The trio - also including Ruth's husband Scott on drums and James Forster on guitar - have successfully tapped into the spirit of that era, but in the two or so years they've been together, have stretched material beyond the obvious, bringing in a funkiness sometimes lacking in those mid-sixties Hammond pioneers.

At the Prom bar on Monday night - to a small but tuned-in crowd - the trio explored sounds from John Scofield, an ex-Miles Davis guitarist, as well as a smattering of their own compositions.

The trio built on a low-key, supper-club style start to the evening with layer upon layer of solid grooves. Their musicianship is impeccable; it would hardly be fair to single out any one of the three for special mention but I think extra plaudits must go to Scott Hammond for his solid yet stylish kit work, which never ventures into the realms of showy.

Jimmy Smith's sinewy The Cat rounded off the evening, which came all to soon for me.

Nevertheless, the Trio can be seen again at The Bear pub's Be-Bop Club in Hotwells Road later this month. You're advised not to miss it.

* * * * (out of 5)