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Saito / Roder / Griener - Wald (review)

 

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This is music which can go anywhere - but doesn’t need to. The maturity of these musicians is something which makes them role models for all improvisers. Evident on this record is a perfect balance of assertiveness, generosity and sensitivity, not to mention the immaculate instrumental skills and imagination of these musicians.

The sound of the trio (of vibraphone, bass and drums) definitely has a jazz connotation and a deep jazz influence. It is however a kind of very fresh, open jazz, that’s behaving more like the interactions of European free improvisers. It’s the best of both worlds, I would say. The ability to swing, to be dynamic, to pause, to bring about different kinds of directions - it’s all there.

The second track shows something which is very untypical of jazz, and it’s a very exciting contrast to the more busy and swinging parts. This has a meditative quality, with long sounds, bowed vibraphone, more atmospheric. It makes your ears wake up. You realise, these people are doing something very different than what we’re used to as jazz listeners, something which deserves paying close attention to. Then this meditation grows louder and more intense through the tasteful contributions of Griener. This section doesn’t only stand out in a jazz context, but in the free improv context as well. It’s something very vital and independent, which can be said for the whole record.

Then they start to pick up speed, and this direction is equally intriguing. The rapid, chromatic movements of the vibraphone is something very dreamlike and enticing. It’s not really melodic, but textural. While the group as a whole becomes increasingly more intense, the vibraphone is simultaneously creating a contrasting, strangely meditative energy through pushing down the pedal and making the notes ring out. It becomes multi-dimensional. Then, as Saito lifts the pedal and goes into a more staccato-way of playing (together with the group), an enormous transformation happens which gives yet more freshness to the listener. They proceed to go into a medium swing groove, which ends at an unexpected moment. This is again another detail which keeps the ears awake.

Lastly they go into a more European territory with extended techniques, and this is expertly done. It doesn’t sound like jazz musicians trying to imitate a style, they’re doing the real thing. It seems like this trio is the perfect situation for all of these musicians, where all their individual strengths can shine and are perfectly complemented by the others. They take jazz to places that jazz has never been before and take European improvisation to new places too. I hope to hear more from this trio (as soon as possible)!

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