MATHIAS EICK – Midwest
ECM 470 8910
Mathia Eick (trumpet); Gjermund Larsen (violin); Jon Balke (piano); Mats Eilertsen (double bass); Helge norbakken (percussion)
Recorded May 2014
The first thing that strikes you when listening to this third release on ECM for the trumpeter is how intensely lyrical and melodic the music is as a whole. The emphasis is very much on the group sound that is established from the opening, and title track, ‘Midwest’, and the mood it sets in motion prevails throughout. The drama occurs with the natural peaks of the composition, as opposed to climaxes in improvised solos and this focus on tightly controlled content repays attentive listening.
The inspiration for the music is drawn from Eich’s experiences travelling across America, often covering long distances, and was struck with the similarities between the American Midwest and parts of south east Norway where he grew up, and ‘Hem’ named after the village of his birth is perhaps the start of this musical journey.
Eich has long expressed an interest in working and recording with Gjermund Larson and felt that this music might be the right setting for the violinist, and his instinct proves him right as the blending of brass and strings in unison passages or counterpoint is beautifully arranged and played.
For most part the music retains a light and easy lyricism that moves in interesting and often subtle ways with Eilertsen’s bass and the percussion of Norbakken keeping things interesting rhythmically. The trumpeter mixes the programme imaginatively with clever variations in the material that work without detracting from the overall concept with his more abstract and exploratory playing on’March’, the wonderfully subdued lyricism of his trumpet sound on ‘At Sea’ or the concentrated and focussed intensity of ‘Fargo’.
If in making a recording such as Midwest and shouting his cause from the rooftops, this quietly refelective album with certainly do him no harm, and shows an emerging talent for arranging attractive melodies for a small group that retains the attention of his audience.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 470 8910
Mathia Eick (trumpet); Gjermund Larsen (violin); Jon Balke (piano); Mats Eilertsen (double bass); Helge norbakken (percussion)
Recorded May 2014
The first thing that strikes you when listening to this third release on ECM for the trumpeter is how intensely lyrical and melodic the music is as a whole. The emphasis is very much on the group sound that is established from the opening, and title track, ‘Midwest’, and the mood it sets in motion prevails throughout. The drama occurs with the natural peaks of the composition, as opposed to climaxes in improvised solos and this focus on tightly controlled content repays attentive listening.
The inspiration for the music is drawn from Eich’s experiences travelling across America, often covering long distances, and was struck with the similarities between the American Midwest and parts of south east Norway where he grew up, and ‘Hem’ named after the village of his birth is perhaps the start of this musical journey.
Eich has long expressed an interest in working and recording with Gjermund Larson and felt that this music might be the right setting for the violinist, and his instinct proves him right as the blending of brass and strings in unison passages or counterpoint is beautifully arranged and played.
For most part the music retains a light and easy lyricism that moves in interesting and often subtle ways with Eilertsen’s bass and the percussion of Norbakken keeping things interesting rhythmically. The trumpeter mixes the programme imaginatively with clever variations in the material that work without detracting from the overall concept with his more abstract and exploratory playing on’March’, the wonderfully subdued lyricism of his trumpet sound on ‘At Sea’ or the concentrated and focussed intensity of ‘Fargo’.
If in making a recording such as Midwest and shouting his cause from the rooftops, this quietly refelective album with certainly do him no harm, and shows an emerging talent for arranging attractive melodies for a small group that retains the attention of his audience.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
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