The young piano trio from Norway is the 3rd one on the Label’s catalogue after In the Country and The Espen Eriksen Trio, but philosophically they are also following the footsteps of another two compatriots: Helge Lien and Tord Gustavsen. Especially the last one appeals with its incredibly romantic and melancholic approach. Performing in the past with Arve Henriksen alike would fit into the sonic universe he represents but names like Nils Olav Johansen(guitarist) or Ola Kvernberg(violinist) shows huge versatility as those two are flirting heavily with various popular genres.
The track called You Stood There In Silence, Having No Words makes to me the best example of what describes the trio’s music. Here is a band co-operation at the best. Wonderful melodic approach with sophisticated drum framework, full of changing tempos and various dynamic tensions. Challenging rhythm patterns with full pallet of dynamic flavors. Piano sporting full dynamic range in this joyful conversation. Mostly hymnal, almost touching the lament side, fantastically sparkling and never losing its gentle melodic core. Absolutely fascinating. Bass on the other hand is a show of the maturity, with every sound being played wonderfully woody and with a perfect tension.
Coming after C&R brings the same maturity with careful listening to each other and responding to what comes rapid fire fast. Music might not be up tempo, pretty much is melancholic and laid back but the way they are building up culmination and then realize it with such a natural ease is mesmerizing. Here one can here that there is a lot of space left for the improvisation. I don’t believe that all the lines are written into the score really. I can sense this joy of tracing each other and bringing the spark to the surface. Drummer’s snare cannonades in that piece with phenomenally controlled dynamics between conversations with the piano are nothing but master class show off.
Another one which I truly enjoyed is improvised Time /Breath, with very contemporary spacious character, dark piano clusters and minimalistic percussion approach with creative play on the rims of the toms and cymbals and fantastically controlled and the dynamic tension dosed.
Leaving Home is kind of Jarrett alike burlesque, again wonderfully dynamically executed with nice drive and perfect inner communication.
I like the way that tracks are mixed on that recording. You can listen to them randomly and they are nothing but the pleasure, but simply put this cd into the tray and just sit and listen without messing with an order and you will notice truly mature concept behind that. It brings the flow this way and the dynamic control of the recording becomes easier to understand. Plus, it shows another skill of the young pianist as a composer and an arranger as well and ability to control the tension by making the right choices.
That’s why closing Three Last Words, are making such a lovely outro here. Fading piano with gentle plunking, assisted by swirly bass lines and long-lasting sounds from triangles disappearing into silence in such a natural way leave the listener completely immersed to the tissue of the recording.
This trio is really speaking with its own voice and they left me with huge hunger for more, so I will stay alerted and will be looking forward to the next chapter to come – Not Nearly Enough To Being Done With Them.