The last time Finnish pianist iiro Rantala recorded a trio with bass and drums (see review on this site), it was on a repertoire of personal themes.
Here, with a new trio – Rantala had never recorded with his compatriot, bassist Kaisa Mäensivu – he devotes himself to a wide variety of standards, including a theme by Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Henri Mancini, Charlie Chaplin’s Smile and even two forays into French music with Edith Piaf’s L’Hymne à l’Amourand, more surprisingly, Fais Dodo Colas Mon p’tit Frère. A nod to the fact that this CD was recorded at Château Palmer, in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards. What these diverse themes have in common is that they are interpreted as close as possible to the melody, without the need for spectacular effects. Rantala‘s piano cultivates a classicism of the highest order, with a superb tone that makes the instrument sound magnificent, not least on a solo interpretation of In a Sentimental Mood. The double bass is not to be outdone, with a full, woody timbre that comes to the fore in a duet rendition of Fais Dodo… and works wonders as a walking bass on the other themes.
As for Danish drummer Morten Lund, he’s no stranger to playing standards, having accompanied a number of American and European musicians in Copenhagen clubs over the years, as a fine disciple of his mentors Ed Thigpen and Alex Riel.
His drumming is both subtle and invigorating, with the sound of toms and cymbals blending superbly with that of his bandmates.
Alternating between ballads and more upbeat tempos, this album offers a vision of the trio rooted in tradition and timeless, carried by three instrumentalists who fully assume their place in the lineage of elders such as Ahmad Jamal or Oscar Peterson.
Line up:
Iiro Rantala: piano
Kaisa Mäensivu: double bass
Morten Lund: drums
Trinity is a Hit Couleurs Jazz and a Best of The Month on Couleurs Jazz Radio. It was released by Act Music on November 14, 2025
©Photo Header Yann Rabanier
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