As one of the best exemplars of the revered ECM label from the last fifteen years, Poland’s prime pianist Marcin Wasilewski and his trio with bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz and drummer Michal Miskiewicz have made jazz trio records that carry on the long ECM tradition of delicacy, symmetry and translucent tonality; it’s perfectly suited for the spotless production approach of ECM boss Manfred Eicher. As such, there’s a reliable consistency across Marcin Wasilewski Trio records, and that stands even when there is a twist in the plot.
Arctic Riff is the Marcin Wasilewski Trio’s first studio album since 2014’s Spark of Life, but like Spark of Life, the threesome is supplemented by a saxophone player. Before, it was Swedish sax notable Joakim Milder; this time, that guest chair is filled by the American tenor giant, Joe Lovano.
The Marcin Wasilewski Trio are no strangers to playing alongside jazz men of the highest stature; for many years they served as the backing band to fellow Pole Tomasz Stanko, one of the most important figures of European jazz of the last few decades. So they adjusted rather easily to having Lovano in their midst. And then there’s the sturdy musical bond between members of the Trio itself, who have played together since they were barely teenagers. This temporary quartet never lose their footing through challenging compositions contributed mainly by Wasilewski but also by Lovano and one notable cover.
“Glimmer Of Hope” exhibits Wasilewski’s pristine contemplative style and we soon find how Lovano fits into that aesthetic. Within the first couple of notes from a tenor sax, it’s unmistakable who’s blowing them. Lovano phrases himself like a seasoned jazz singer, letting the piano notes draw out long enough to cue him up and he lets his authoritative tone do the rest. His remarks don’t go that long before Wasilewski steps forward, with a fragility that matches the beauty of the strain he’s devised and Lovano returns with much of the same emotionalism.
Carla Bley’s masterful piece “Vashkar” is treated with due respect here, and it’s actually Lovano who assumes the role of introducing its mysterious melody. That leaves Wasilewski to dig into it first, and he aces that test, displaying some of the underrated style of Bobo Stenson. Lovano returns more blues minded and to underscore the saxman’s reflections on the melody, Wasilewski temporarily backs away from the piano, allowing Lovano, Miskiewicz and Kurkiewicz to engage more directly. Another take of “Vashkar” sees Wasilewski sitting this one out for the first half, leaving it up to Lovano and Kurkiewicz to sketch out Bley’s wide harmonic shapes. How well they pick the right notes to complete the song’s picture is a true testament of their virtuosity.
“Cadenza” is full of multi-improvisation, starting with Lovano, Miskiewicz and Kurkiewicz firing the first salvo and then Wasilewski responding with his own thoughts, gradually aided by the rhythm section and then it morphs into a whole group improv when Lovano re-enters the fray. Together they ride through the ever-changing topography, from all-out free frenzy to solemnity. Just as the song is about to end, it restarts and goes on for another three minutes but in a melancholy tone.
“Fading Sorrow” recalls the classic Keith Jarrett European quartet, save for Lovano’s tenor instead of Jan Garbarek’s alto, and Kurkiewicz’s lyrically rich bass feature is the high point. “Old Hat” is likewise an echo of ECM from the seventies, a lissome and gentle ballad immaculately captured to tape, where both Lovano and Wasilewski deliver sensitive solos.
After a brief, nocturnal excursion “Stray Cat Walk” where Lovano blows into the void with light backing from bass and drums, Wasilewski returns on the jaunty “L’amour Fou” where even with a quicker tempo, Lovano maintains his soulfulness. Lovano brought “On The Other Side” to the sessions, a spacious composition that relies greatly on nimbleness of Miskiewicz while Wasilewski meets the challenge of playing further outside than what he’s normally heard doing.
Arctic Riff is expected for release on June 26, 2020 from ECM Records.
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