Two Hours (2004)

"Recorded without much rehearsing time, this album is another example of the magic of jazz, which can produce endearing music even when the musicians hardly know each other. Guitarist Samo Salamon hired the trio Open Loose (Tony Malaby (ts), Mark Helias (b), and Tom Rainey (d). In itself, the threesome is already a solid warrant of quality. Helias has an impressive facility on his instrument, Rainey's imagination seems endless, and Malaby would be hard pressed to deliver a vapid solo. As for the leader, he readily acknowledges Bill Frisell as a major influence, but ends up sounding more like John Scofield, or even John Abercrombie ("The Lonely Tune"). However, his jagged and linear delivery shows that he might be up to finding his own voice. Salamon's wit is not only displayed in song titles and his comping, but shows that he is quick to find a meaningful commentary to his cohorts' discourse. Full of wondrous and intricate interplay, this set easily sustains the listener's interest." (Alain Drouot, Allmusic)