They say the triangle is the strongest shape in nature, and the BEATrio is evidence of this timeless truth. Three absolute masters of their respective instruments combining their powers, resolutely charting a new path forward to sonic delights the likes of which we’ve never heard. This of course should come as no surprise to those familiar with any of the musicians involved here – Béla Fleck is of course a well-known virtuoso on the banjo, defying the very concept of genre over the course of his career. Equally astounding is the boundless energy and blistering technique of Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda, anchored by the legend himself Antonio Sanchez on drums.

Already unconventional in terms of instrumentation, the BEATrio wastes zero time in showing you who they are. Cascading melodies build, intertwine, and careen over spritely rhythms, flowing seamlessly from breathless Latin dance into soaring pastoral beauty straight from the hills of Appalachia, twisting and turning, hairpin turns at breakneck speed handled with uncommon grace and masterful ability. With an original repertoire, the combined songwriting prowess of Fleck, Castañeda, and Sanchez is off the charts. Each member takes the spotlight in their own moments, but these songs really shine when the three are in perfect sync, supporting each other and building a cohesive, propulsive, joyous whole.

I was lucky enough to witness this trio live at Big Ears Festival in March of this year, and I was completely blown away. I was quite interested to see this trio in the first place, as I had somehow never seen Fleck in all my years of concert-going, in any of his many groups (and in fact had missed him with My Bluegrass Heart at the very same event in 2023). The only thing I was sure of going into the set was that I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew it would be top notch, and it wound up being one of my favorite performances of the entire weekend. Their energy was infectious; the crowd was smiling, dancing, and laughing right along with Fleck, Castañeda, and Sanchez as they took us on a wild trip right on the knife’s edge.

I often recommend listeners to just sit with an album straight through, at least on your first or second listen. This record, however….I just don’t know if I’m even able to listen to one song at a time, it’s simply so good that it demands you spin the whole LP at once. Influences from jazz, flamenco, classical, rock, bluegrass, prog, etc. are all over the place, and in the hands of such a gifted cadre, these disparate elements not only seem natural together, they thrive and push each other to dizzying heights.

Can’t recommend this one enough. I’m happy to be alive at the same time as this record.