A new trio recording from Matthew Putman, Hill Greene and Francisco Mela, released as 577 Records marks its 25th year

Following their acclaimed debut Believe That Was Me (577 Records, 2025), Matthew Putman, Hill Greene, and Francisco Mela reunite for Bright Sun Outside, a new trio recording built on improvisation, deep listening, and the strong musical connection they have developed together.

The album captures three distinct voices meeting in real time. Putman's piano, Greene's bass, and Mela's drums move freely between texture, melody, rhythm, and space, creating music that is spontaneous yet remarkably cohesive. Mela's occasional use of whistle adds another color to the recording, opening unexpected pathways through the trio's conversations.

If Believe That Was Me documented the excitement of a first encounter, Bright Sun Outside finds the group on more familiar ground, willing to take greater risks and follow ideas wherever they lead. The music embraces the freedom of improvisation without losing its sense of direction. Listeners may hear traces of Cecil Taylor and the free jazz tradition, but the trio's approach remains personal, shaped by the experiences and instincts of the musicians themselves.

Putman and Greene have worked together regularly since 2017 through numerous projects on 577 Records, including the Telepathic Band. Mela—known for his work with McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding, and many others—has been an important part of the 577 Records community through recordings, performances at the New York Forward Festival, and his involvement in the Sounds of Freedom artist residency program.

Like many releases on 577 Records, Bright Sun Outside grew out of a community of artists committed to exploration, collaboration, and creative freedom. The album arrives as 577 Records celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter century of independent music-making and artistic exchange.

Bright Sun Outside will be released on CD in a limited first edition of 100 copies and will also be available as a digital download.

Matthew Putman, Hill Greene, Francisco Mela
Bright Sun Outside

Matthew Putman - piano
Hilliard Greene - bass
Francisco Mela - drums, whistle

Recorded in Brooklyn, New York
Release: August 21, 2026
Total time - 48:56
Catalogue number 5977-1

Photography by Mario Caroni
Graphic design by Mark Smith

TRACKS:

1. Airplane to the Sky 7:56
2. Dawn 3:51
3. Hidden Secrets 9:49
4. A New Beginning 3:01
5. Mysteries of Nature 4:31
6. Darkness 9:00
7. Clouds 4:26
8. Lake Life 3:35
9. The Rhythm of Silence 2:47

100% of profit from the sale of most of these albums
goes to the musicians

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