This German/American/Spanish trio, which features pianist Benedikt Jahnel, double-bassist Antonio Miguel, and drummer Owen Howard, are releasing their first album for ECM Records, titled Equilibrium. A 7 track affair of majestic, emotional jazz, Equilibrium features all Jahnel original compositions, most highlighted by lovely melodies and relaxing arrangements, though the trio does veer off into adventurous improvisations on occasion.
"Sacred Silence" is a thing of beauty, with Jahnel's luxurious piano melodies taking charge and burrowing their way into your very soul. Miguel's lumbering bass lines provide a feeling of menace over which Jahnel's meandering piano takes flight on the more ominous, improv heavy "Moorland & Hill Land", while the hauntingly beautiful "Wrangel" sees the trio taking part in a slightly more upbeat tempo, including Howard, who joins the fray in a big way with some spirited drum work. "Augmented" and "Hidden Beauty" both feature lush piano melodies and gentle yet pulsating bass grooves, but the best is saved for last on the soaring title track, easily containing some of Jahnel's most adventurous piano passages on the album, with Howard's tricky drum fills hammering underneath.
Solid stuff here from a formidable piano trio, Equilibrium is a sure fire bet to please any modern day jazz lover or fan of the ECM roster of artists.
Track Listing
1) Gently Understood
2) Sacred Silence
3) Moorland & Hill Land
4) Wrangel
5) Augmented
6) Hidden Beauty
7) Equilibrium
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