Largo

Production notes

Largo was recorded at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, California, and released on Warner Bros. Records in 2002. The album was produced by Jon Brion, known for his work with Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann, marking a significant departure from Mehldau's typical acoustic piano trio format. Brion encouraged Mehldau to explore overdubbing, layered arrangements, and a wide palette of instruments including electric guitar, bass, orchestral textures, and studio effects, creating a densely produced, almost cinematic sound. The engineering was handled by Tom Biller, who worked closely with Brion on capturing the album's richly textured sonic landscape. The project was notable for challenging jazz conventions, as Mehldau embraced a rock and pop-influenced production aesthetic, drawing mixed reactions from jazz purists but expanding his audience and artistic reputation.