Drumfree

Description

Product Description The latest chapter in guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel's musical journey is a jazz trio without drums. Based on Muthspiel's compositions the trio plays a partly improvised, song-oriented kind of chamber music, rhythmically deeply rooted in Jazz, whilst also harmonically lucid and free. Every note counts and every rest speaks. Wolfgang Muthspiel is a noted electric player but on this recording he uses an acoustic guitar more than ever before. He uses it to great effect, effortlessly combining the virtues of classical music and jazz improvisation. Larry Grenadier's bouncing and elegant bass lines have graced the sound of the Brad Mehldau Trio since its formation, in 'Drumfree' a lesser-known aspect of his abilities can also be heard, the arco playing with bow. Swiss saxophone master Andy Scherrer's touching sound brings a melancholic and poetic expanse to the music. The complex changes of the compositions (all of them by Muthspiel) inspire expressive solos throughout the album. Personnel: Wolfgang Muthspiel (guitars), Andy Scherrer (saxophones), Larry Grenadier (bass) Review (4 stars) Heated flamenco references, elegant contemporary-classical sketches and a finale for rippling finger-style melody over cello-like bowed bass. -- The Guardian, (John Fordham), April 1, 2011