Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 09/30/2008
Run Time: 41:01
In one of the more unique groupings of musicians from the
ECM stable, Polish trumpeter
Tomasz Stanko assembled his fellow countryman
Tomasz Szukalski on tenor and soprano saxes, British bassist
Dave Holland, and Finnish drummer/percussionist
Edward Vesala to play contemporary jazz with a distinct Euro-classical chamber feel. Those who are familiar with the music of
Kenny Wheeler will hear an immediate connection, as
Stanko and this ensemble employ techniques of free-floating moods and lightly soaring sounds, with
Holland's anchoring bass prodding the slight rhythms forward. The beauty of this concept is in how the quartet plays from an inward direction, with few direct jazz references save improvisation. It's also not an entire program of ballads or terpsichore, as the title suggests.
"First Song" is an energetic spirit song with a Native American feel via
Holland's insistent bass, with the outspoken horns forming unique sonic footprints. The slightly singsong motifs of
"Num" and
"Last Song" are the most reminiscent of
Wheeler's distinctive style, the former an easier blues-based theme, the latter led by
Vesala's solos similar to a rumbling
Jack DeJohnette, leading to a tandem melody akin to a requiem.
"Tale" and
"Duet" are improvisations: a low-key, earth-tone concept featuring
Vesala's shakers and
Holland's bass alongside
Stanko; and a short and serene feature for bass and trumpet only. The title track is a slightly whimsical but ultimately sad ballad with the two horns in mourning agreement, while the finale,
"Nenaliina," is a showcase for
Vesala's specialty, as splashed cymbals and resonant gongs lead to more free-flowing horn lines in no time, and then two duets, one between
Szukalski and
Holland and the other featuring
Stanko with the drummer. This is
Stanko's fifth recording as a leader, and as pleasant as it is to listen to all the way through, it is equally satisfying, and lies deep within the souls of these four adroit and accomplished musicians playing together as one.
~Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
;)
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