Nov 25 2014
Recommended: Reto Suhner & Fabian M. Mueller – “Schattenspiel”
An enchanting duo collaboration between saxophonist Reto Suhner and pianist Fabian M. Mueller. Schattenspiel possesses a level of virtuosity to where improvised statements appear to be strategically coordinated, and where the free flow of ideas can sustain a composed, coherent dialog. It’s why this album can be supremely engaging and yet so damn sublime.
Some tracks, like album-opener “Labyrinth of Time,” hint at serenity, but twitter with life just enough to upset the state of tranquility. There’s also the gorgeous melody of “Arcanum,” ephemeral and mysterious as a curl of smoke and “Crux,” which sees Suhner singing a simple song to the accompaniment of Mueller’s ominous tone.
Motion plays a big role in many of the album tracks. What begins as a peaceful state will suddenly ignite with an impassioned volatility, and what opens with sharp, decisive actions might conclude with a long, flowing glide. “Le Coq” is a tiny frenzy that ends with a peaceful sigh, “Blaze a Trail” darts about with a determined insistence, and “Cascade,” starts as a tangle of unconnected threads and ends as a lovely confluence of melody.
The album ends with “Das Schattenspiel,” a sublime tune that shifts gears throughout, and illustrates that the essential quality of Schattenspiel‘s conversations is revealed in the words, not the tones.
Just plain beautiful.
Your album personnel: Reto Suhner (soprano & alto saxes) and Fabian M. Mueller (piano).
Released on Between The Lines Records.
Jazz from the Zürich, Switzerland scene.
Available at: Amazon
Some other stuff you should probably know:
Pianist Mueller is also a member of Augur Ensemble, whose 2013 release The Daily Unknown falls into similar territory as Schattenspiel. Beautiful music that is both heartbreaking and cerebral.
Read my recommendation here –> LINK
Nov 26 2014
My new Wondering Sound jazz recommendations
As most of you are aware, I have been writing a weekly column for eMusic.com that gives a rundown of the best of the new Jazz releases each week (my Jazz Picks). Well, eMusic has spun off their editorial function to a completely separate site, called Wondering Sound. While I’m still doing the same thing, my Jazz Picks will now be posted over on the Wondering Sound site, which exists in its own world. It’s why you now see Bandcamp players embedded in the column as well as recs for albums not retailing on eMusic.
I’m not sure when my column will actually post on Wondering Sound. It was supposed to go up Wednesday, but it appears the holiday weekend may have caused some interference with the publishing schedule. When they do go up, they’ll be at the top of my Wondering Sound profile, HERE.In the meantime, since today is small business Saturday, I though I’d post the list of recommendations in case you wanted to direct your attention to these fine albums. And, as I said, when the actual column goes up with all the synopses and links, I’ll let you know.
The albums from this week’s article are:
My Pick of the Week: Jimmy Greene – “Beautiful World”
My other recommendations:
Considering that the year is winding to a close, it’s not a bad bundle of options.
Cheers.
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By davesumner • Announcement - Music • 0 • Tags: Emusic News, Wondering Sound news