December Avenue is the latest ECM Records release from Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko's New York Quartet, and comes four years after the acclaimed Wislawa. Joining Stanko here are David Virelles (piano), Reuben Rogers (double bass), and Gerald Cleaver (drums), with the album recorded at Studios La Buissonne in the South of France in June 2016 and produced by Manfred Eicher.
The somber "Cloud" kicks things off, as gentle piano melodies and trumpet ease the listener into the album, moving right along into the more upbeat "Conclusion", which sees nimble bass lines from Rogers combat soaring trumpet and acrobatic piano. The spirited work of Virelles is highlighted on the lengthy "Blue Cloud", his alluring lines glide alongside Stanko's mournful trumpet while the rhythm team gently assist the arrangement. Cleaver rumbles right up there with Stankow on the atmospheric "Bright Moon", while "Burning Hot" does indeed 'burn', Rogers & Cleaver's funky grooves allowing for some wild solo flights from Virelles and Stanko. "Sound Space" contains some moments of bombastic free-jazz, as double bass and piano collide for plenty of dissonance, and the groove laden title track will instantly get you tapping your feet with its upbeat arrangement and tasty ensemble playing.
The end result is another stellar collection of jazz from the Tomasz Stanko New York Quartet. If you regularly seek out ECM releases, December Avenue is certainly one to put in your radar.
Track Listing
01 Cloud
02 Conclusion
03 Blue Cloud
04 Bright Moon
05 Burning Hot
06 David And Reuben
07 Ballad For Bruno Schulz
08 Sound Space
09 December Avenue
10 The Street Of Crocodiles
11 Yankiels Lid
12 Young Girl In Flower
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