Wollny / Kruse / Schaefer / Wasted & Wanted

Description

With this new studio album, their fourth, the German trio makes a strong impression. A very strong impression. It is certainly the best album in their discography, and undoubtedly one of the milestones of the year in terms of "Power Trio." The moods, the changes of atmosphere, the play of colors, these are somewhat [em]'s trademark. It's no coincidence that the trio's initiator, bassist Eva Kruse, was a student of pianist John Taylor. Just like Michael Wollny, an eternal lover of twilight and delectable darkness. As for Eric Schaefer, trained in classical percussion as well as rock, he once again demonstrates formidable skill in developing musical scenarios (the bass drum on the movement of Mahler's Fifth Symphony!). Far from the traditional exposition/solo/reprise anthem, the drummer possesses a sense of construction that goes far beyond simple linear narration, and knows how to modulate his effects, even accentuating them to the extreme. The trio [em] speaks a language undoubtedly influenced by fantasy cinema, bordering on romanticism with its propensity for contrasts, its taste for suspense and surprise. A harsh discourse full of character, bubbling rock energy, funky inflections, unexpected breaths, shimmering harmonies, an omnipresent melodic sense, electronic touches, musical permeability: this coexistence of very different artistic personalities and the trio's egalitarian musical functioning work wonderfully and make this album a must for any jazz trio enthusiast. Included in the digipak: bonus CD in cardboard sleeve with 4 tracks recorded live at the Berlin JazzFest (Nov. 2011)