Wolfgang Muthspiel – Tokyo

For his third recording with this major trio, Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel has chosen to showcase his own compositions, framed by two other themes: one by Keith Jarrett, the other by Paul Motian, with whom Muthspiel once collaborated as part of the late drummer’s Electric Bebop Band.

The guitarist thus embraces an aesthetic linked to the Munich label while maintaining a personal individuality that asserts itself throughout his various recordings.

His guitar playing—sometimes acoustic, sometimes electric—is particularly refined and makes use of a sound with beautifully varied accents.

It is no surprise that he has chosen musicians such as Scott Colley and Brian Blade as his partners.

The drummer—with whom he recorded two duo albums and who is also a guitarist—is known for his sensitivity and musicality, which works wonders both in his own band, Fellowship, and when accompanying musicians as diverse as saxophonist Wayne Shorter or singer Joni Mitchell.

Within this trio, Brian Blade displays the splendor of his refined drumming, which suits the atmosphere of the leader’s compositions beautifully.

Scott Colley, for his part, provides the ensemble with an unshakeable harmonic foundation, and the splendid sound of his double bass, sometimes bowed, is a delight from start to finish. As for his drive, it is a remarkable asset to the trio’s interplay, and his rare solos are little gems of musicality.

All in all, this is a remarkable opus that showcases a high-level trio from whom we always expect the best.