Kit Downes (piano); Petter Eldh (double bass);
James Maddren (drums)
This is Kit Downes’ third album as leader on the ECM album and his first in the classic piano trio format. Featuring Petter Eldh on bass and long-time collaborator James Maddren on drums, writing credits are split evenly between Downes and Eldh. The eleventh and final piece on the on the album is a charming interpretation of Jimi Hendrix’s Castles Made of Sand (I have often thought that if Hendrix hadn’t died so tragically young he would have pivoted towards the world of jazz).
The interplay among the trio is remarkable, they’re totally at one with each other as the music ebbs and flows. Each piece seems to be marvellously constructed: a slow build up by one of the soloists before the rest of the band join in. Melancholic pieces such as Sister Sister, Class Fails and Math Amager are balanced by more up tempo numbers such as Sandilands, Waders and Bobbl’s Song. The shortest piece Rolling Thunder is what one would expect - dark and foreboding.
A very contemplative album full of melody, subtlety and quality. Steve H
No comments :
Post a Comment