WOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL / SCOTT COLLEY / BRIAN BLADE - Angular Blues
ECM 081 4506
Wolfgang Muthspiel (guitar); Scott Colley (double bass); Brian Blade (drums)
Recorded August 2018
This is the album number four as leader for Austrian guitarist, Wolfgang Muthspiel, and continues with the trio format as heard on his Driftwood (2014) album for the imprint. However, there is a shift in the dynamic of the new album with bassist Scott Collley replacing Larry Grenadier.
Interestingly, the first three compositions feature Muthspiel on acoustic guitar, and all are very different. The opener, 'Wondering' does just that, capturing that floating feeling that Wolfgang and Brian Blade exploit so well, with Colley providing the anchor. 'Angular Blues' is aptly titled with the guitarist advising that Chick Corea's Three Quartets album and Thelonious Monk were in his mind when writing the piece. The thrid and final piece for the acoustic instrument is on the hauntingly lyrical 'Hüttengriffe' which sums up neatly the first part of the album.
The switch to electric guitar continues the preceding tunes but with the Muthspiel seemingly able to suspend time and motion and heard on 'Camino' before displaying his jazz chops on the bebop rhythm changes on 'Ride', his first ever composition in this style on record. Another first is the inclusion of a couple of standards on one of his ECM recordings. In doing so the trio relax their grip on the music and explore the freedom they have discovered in the material. Fluid guitar lines, solid and swinging basslines and Blade's subtle shading and commentary from the kit allowing the music to flow with fresh interpretations. Cole Porter's 'Everything I Love' is taken at the perfect tempo for the trio to create the perfect ambience of the piece, and nestled in the middle of the performance we hear Muthspiel's inspired lines. Bassist, Colley, also gets his say in his solo and then steals the limelight with his playing on 'I'll Remember April' in both his accompaniment and solo.
Another solid and enjoyable the guitarist, who with each new recording continues to constantly evolve and consolidate lessons learned and taking his playing to another level.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 081 4506
Wolfgang Muthspiel (guitar); Scott Colley (double bass); Brian Blade (drums)
Recorded August 2018
This is the album number four as leader for Austrian guitarist, Wolfgang Muthspiel, and continues with the trio format as heard on his Driftwood (2014) album for the imprint. However, there is a shift in the dynamic of the new album with bassist Scott Collley replacing Larry Grenadier.
Interestingly, the first three compositions feature Muthspiel on acoustic guitar, and all are very different. The opener, 'Wondering' does just that, capturing that floating feeling that Wolfgang and Brian Blade exploit so well, with Colley providing the anchor. 'Angular Blues' is aptly titled with the guitarist advising that Chick Corea's Three Quartets album and Thelonious Monk were in his mind when writing the piece. The thrid and final piece for the acoustic instrument is on the hauntingly lyrical 'Hüttengriffe' which sums up neatly the first part of the album.
The switch to electric guitar continues the preceding tunes but with the Muthspiel seemingly able to suspend time and motion and heard on 'Camino' before displaying his jazz chops on the bebop rhythm changes on 'Ride', his first ever composition in this style on record. Another first is the inclusion of a couple of standards on one of his ECM recordings. In doing so the trio relax their grip on the music and explore the freedom they have discovered in the material. Fluid guitar lines, solid and swinging basslines and Blade's subtle shading and commentary from the kit allowing the music to flow with fresh interpretations. Cole Porter's 'Everything I Love' is taken at the perfect tempo for the trio to create the perfect ambience of the piece, and nestled in the middle of the performance we hear Muthspiel's inspired lines. Bassist, Colley, also gets his say in his solo and then steals the limelight with his playing on 'I'll Remember April' in both his accompaniment and solo.
Another solid and enjoyable the guitarist, who with each new recording continues to constantly evolve and consolidate lessons learned and taking his playing to another level.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
