Norwegian master bassist Arild Andersen's trio with big-toned tenorist Tommy Smith and powerhouse drummer Paolo Vinaccia is one of the most viscerally exciting jazz small groups of the present moment. Its energies are arguably best captured in a live context, and here the three musicians deliver a characteristically smoking performance recorded in September 2016.
A**S
Engaging live Nordic jazz trio
Somehow, despite Arild Andersen recording for ECM as a leader since 1975, I am only now hearing him for the first time. He got his start with the label playing with fellow Norwegian Jan Garbarek on several early Seventies recordings.This is very engaging trio music with strong melodies. Tommy Smith plays tenor sax boldly with a great tone, but of course bassist/bandleader/composer Andersen doesn't just play rhythm -- he is featured as a "front line player" much of the time. Paolo Vinaccia is an extroverted, propulsive drummer -- no Paul Motian-style Zen space percussion. Andersen sometimes accompanies his solos with wordless vocalizing, and I wish he wouldn't, but it is not too obtrusive."Science" and "In-House" are the most up-tempo numbers. "Mira" features what sounds like a lovely Norwegian folk melody. "North of the North Wind" begins with a wind-like sound that I cannot place with any of the three instruments, suggesting that it is a recording. It's a beautiful, haunting piece at the heart of the album.*** *** ***The trio was recorded live on September 29, 2016 by Austrian Radio (ORF) at the Jazzfreunde Bad Ischl in Austria.
N**N
Great recording, fabulous music
Great cd, well recorded. Delicious, exploratory Jazz. If you like the kind of music ecm is releasing lately, this live album is a first rate example. Absolutely a keeper.
J**H
Disappointing
His earlier work is far better
J**D
This is worth repeated listens and I find I discover new brilliant moments with each listen
Wow. This is worth repeated listens and I find I discover new brilliant moments with each listen. Thoughtful, original and compelling performances all around, in the difficult sax/bass/drum trio format.
M**S
VERY BAD ALBUM
Most musicians with good taste know when to call it a life well lived and hit the rocking chair, some however come to think thru ego and delusion any noise they make is a angel song. at 74 in 2018 ol Arild just does not know when to stop admiring himself in the mirror. "In House Science" is further proof ECM is hard put to find the kind of music that made it famious.Which can sound funny because he helped ECM get famious WHEN HE WAS YOUNG.Arild used to try so very hard at his work and produced some wonderful music, some of his earlier work is historic and should be part of every dreamers collection, But I tossed this CD in trash cause I refuse to resell itSee Jan Garbareks Visible WorldsorJackob Bro's Returnings both are availble on Amazon and are ECM and very mostly beautiful and lush.
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2 days ago
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