John Taylor: Tramonto (ECM 2544)
Rosslyn (ECM, 2003), the precursor to this album by virtuoso pianist John Taylor, featured the same line up with bassist Marc Johnson and Joey Baron on drums. Rosslyn was recorded in April 2002 in Oslo and comprised four Taylor originals, plus tunes by Kenny Wheeler, Ralph Towner and Irving Berlin’s How Deep Is The Ocean. The present album, only now released, was recorded live at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham, just four months before Rosslyn. Captured during a Contemporary Music Network tour in 2002, it features five original compositions with two, Taylor’s Between Moons and the title track, also appearing on Rosslyn. Why it’s taken over two decades for Tramonto to be released is unclear, but it’s a cause for celebration since this trio gels remarkably well.
Not counting the five highly acclaimed Azimuth albums Taylor made with Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone, this is only the second album on the ECM label with Taylor as leader. But all three trio members are no strangers to ECM, Johnson and Baron having recorded extensively with John Abercrombie and Taylor contributing to several albums by his long-time friend Kenny Wheeler.
On the opener Pure And Simple, piano and bass lines chase each other in close counterpoint, making for an irresistible excursion. Taylor’s playing here veers between staccato chords and cascading right-hand runs, but is always thrillingly melodic. The hauntingly elegiac Between Moons demonstrates the uncanny symbiosis between the three players, Baron contributing subtly sympathetic percussion to the delicate tune. On Steve Swallow’s Up Too Late Johnson’s high-registered arco bass sounds like a cross between a cello and a theremin whilst Baron delivers an engrossing snare-rich solo. This track was later recorded by Taylor on Angel Of The Presence (Cam Jazz, 2006) with Palle Danielsson and Martin France, both of whom died in 2024, and far too soon. Towner’s title track is a perfect vehicle for Taylor’s fluidly lyrical notes, underpinned by Johnson’s warm bass and executed as a duet between the two. The 15-minute closer, Ambleside, is a version of Taylor’s composition originally recorded as Ambleside Days from the album of the same name (Ah Um, 1992) where John Surman contributed wistful soprano saxophone. Here Taylor’s elegant piano precedes Baron’s short but memorable solo full of inventiveness and energy. Taylor, whose masterly style evoked memories of the great Bill Evans, died aged 72 in July 2015, following a heart attack whilst performing on stage in France. Tramonto is a timely and very welcome reminder of the brilliant musician and composer the world has lost.
Blink: Blink (Driff Records CD2501)
Blink is the brainchild of altoist Jorrit Dijkstra, who hails from Eindhoven but is now resident in Boston where he teaches at Berklee College Of Music. With influences encompassing innovators such as Anthony Braxton, Steve Coleman and Steve Lacy, the eponymously titled Blink debut is fittingly centred around collective improvisation. Blink, an offshoot of Boston’s The Porch Trio, boasts two guitarists, Eric Hofbauer (Porch founder) and newcomer guitarist Gabe Boyarin (respectively assigned to left and right channels). Nate McBrie (electric bass) and Eric Rosenthal (drums and percussion) complete the quintet. The use of microtonality is immediately evident from the opening bass-led track Rub due to both guitarists tuning their instruments a quarter tone sharp. The result is an off-kilter vibe which occasionally evokes African High Life or Indonesian Gamelan ensembles, but the overall effect is gripping. The album also reveals some near-telepathic synchronicity often combined with distinctive rhythmic interplay as heard on the bouncing Hop.
Yet is a lengthy, meditative essay, offering an excellent opportunity to discern by juxtaposition the different techniques the two guitarists utilise. The music presented here isn’t wholly improvised; Shape, for example, opens with an arranged angular statement that implodes after a minute into unbridled extemporisation. The deliberate detuning is particularly obvious on Stretch where Rosenthal’s cymbal crashes like a sonic wave, vying with snapping offbeat snare drum whilst Boyarin strums his guitar almost casually. Pulse is characterised by a rock-like rhythm underpinned by bass guitar, the guitars and sax etching out a palpable sprightly tune before it breaks down into improvisation, though not quite abandoning the rhythm or the use of melody as provided by Dijkstra’s sax. The album concludes with the dirge-like Trans, incorporating a mournful unison line evinced by Dijkstra and Hofbauer, resolving in a powerful crescendo. Recorded at Dimension Sound, Boston in December 2024, this record might challenge some listeners but will undoubtedly yield plentiful delights for others.
Nikola Bankov: Everwanted (AMP Music & Records AT0178)
Slovakian alto saxophonist Nikola Bankov, currently residing in Zurich, is a winner of the prestigious Danish Music Awards and is listed in Forbes’ 30 under 30 as one of the 30 most successful people under the age of 30 in Slovakia. For this, his third album, he has assembled a quintet including four Danish musicians: Jonas Gravlund (elg), August Korsgaard (syn, kyb), Frederik Bak (syn b, elb) and Jacob Hedegaard (d). There are also two guest musicians on two tracks, of which more later.
Everything I Have opens in deceptively restrained mood but reveals a glorious anthemic hook. Bankov’s searching alto is followed by a blistering synthesiser foray by Korsgaard. The synth-pop opening to 5AM cedes to a lyrical alto theme followed by electronic distortion, a meaty guitar solo from Gravlund and a return to the saxophone melody. What’s Next sees Bankov’s sinewy solo building to a coruscating crescendo. The ruminative On Repeat features a majestic alto solo from Bankov backed by synth, bass and drums, making for a dramatically full sound. Bankov’s sax introduces Eleven:Eleven but the centrepiece here is undoubtedly Korsgaard on showstopping piano. The final two tracks involve the guests. First up is bassist Tim Lefebvre whose collaborations include David Bowie’s Blackstar (ISO/Columia/Sony, 2016) and several Donny McCaslin albums. He’s heard here on Peace Of Mind, which takes the form of a contemplative duet between the bassist and Bankov. Lastly, British guitarist Tim Ford appears on Fast Life. This opens sedately before breaking into a staccato-rich muscular number on which the prodigiously talented Ford is featured.
