Gateway - Homecoming (1995)

Twenty years on from their first session together (posted a couple of weeks back), and seventeen since they'd last recorded, the Gateway trio of John Abercrombie, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette reunited in style.  There was plenty of fire left in the trio, as evidenced right from the opening title track - after a cool, swinging earworm of a theme, Abercrombie cranks up the volume and a great group improv ensues.

As with their debut, Holland is the standout songwriter here, penning the title track and also the barreling-forwards Modern Times, the firey groove of How's Never (with a great drum solo) and also the spare In Your Arms.  Abercrombie writes three tunes, including the glowing embers of Waltz New - his guitar tone is never less than a thrill on this record, even when not at full pelt; and DeJohnette pens the closing pair, including a switch to piano on the gorgeous closer Oneness.

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Previously posted at SGTG:
Gateway - First Album
Characters (Abercrombie)
Sargasso Sea / Five Years Later (Abercrombie/Towner)
Pictures (DeJohnette/Abercrombie)