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Review

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by Ian Mann

August 12, 2008

/ ALBUM

A series of beautiful miniatures. The perfect mood piece.

The young piano collectively known as are leading lights of the burgeoning Berlin jazz scene. Like their label mates E.S.T. and the Alboran Trio they are rapidly acquiring an international reputation and the release of this, their third album has been eagerly anticipated.

Pianist Michael Wollny, bassist Eva Kruse and drummer Eric Schaefer are not musicians to stand still. Eschewing the energetic, more groove based approach of their first two albums their latest recording finds them exploring new territory. This takes the form of a more conversational style of music, calmer than their previous output and at times almost sombre in mood.

A quote from Dante’s “Divine Comedy” on the cover helps to set the tone. There are also elements of the gothic atmosphere that manifested Wollny’s solo piano project “Hexentanz”(ACT 9756-2). This is particularly evident on the pianist’s compositions “Monsters:Symmetriads” and “Kiyoshi”.

Schafer takes the lion’s share of the compositional credits this time round contributing seven of the albums thirteen tracks. Wollny and Kruse weigh in with three each. With only the above mentioned “Monsters” exceeding six minutes the pieces are concise and to the point. There is an almost classical rigour to the trio’s music (Stravinsky, Bach and Grieg are all acknowledged influences) and although improvisation is a vital component of the trio’s work there is little musical flab.

The result is a series of beautiful miniatures that maintain the chosen mood of the album perfectly. Wollny is capable of great lyricism, which counterbalances the darker side of his playing. Schafer is a sympathetic drummer who utilises the full sonic capabilities of his kit and deploys delightful small percussive details in his playing. Kruse provides a solid, quietly lyrical backbone and makes effective use of the bow on the album’s more atmospheric pieces.

Together they make a great team and the level of group telepathy and interaction is remarkably high. “ 3” is a perfect mood piece and although it may not be as immediately accessible as it’s predecessors it is an album that repays repeated listening.

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