Label: Heartcore Records, 2026
Personnel - Ben Van Gelder: alto saxophone, flute (#11); Kit Downes: piano, Hammond organ (#3,5,11); Niklas Lukassen: upright bass, electric bass (#2,8,11), vocals (#11); Francesco Ciniglio: drums // Guests - Kurt Rosenwinkel: electric guitar (#4,9); Wanja Slavin: alto (#5) and soprano saxophone (#8); Geoffrey De Masure: trombone (#4); Céline Rudolph (#7).
Young German bassist and composer Niklas Lukassen—who studied in New York for a few years under the mentorship of Ron Carter and now divides his time between London and Berlin—releases his highly anticipated debut album,
Still Waters, taking the listener on an emotional and dramatic journey in the company of a stellar European quartet featuring British pianist Kit Downes, Dutch alto saxophonist Ben Van Gelder, and Italian drummer Francesco Ciniglio. Special guests contribute their talents to a few tracks on an album composed entirely of original material.
“The Deep” opens the album with a forceful showcase of contemporary sound, leading into “Estuary”, which features memorable ensemble work while fluctuating between exciting odd-metered sections and slower passages. The improvisations by Lukassen and Van Gelder are excellent, offering blistering jazz uplift before wrapping the piece in an eccentric, reticulated groove. “Metamorphosis” highlights the band’s ability to shape-shift seamlessly, even amid complexity, and concludes with the bandleader at the center.
Built on a septuple-meter flow, “Palisades” is a rich excursion in mood and extemporization. The piece, launched by Lukassen’s firmly grounded double-stop groove and featuring enveloping unisons that create an immediate melodic drive, includes expressive statements from French trombonist Geoffrey de Masure, Van Gelder, and distinctive American guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, whose presence, sinuous tone, and inimitable vibe also elevate “Rainbow Surfer”. Here, bass and drums swing hard with tight rhythmic focus, sustaining a sense of instant ebb and flow that supports the improvisers’ whims.
Both “Karma” and “The Traveller” feature German saxophonist Wanja Slavin. On the former, with Downes harmonizing on Hammond organ, he converses and then duels with Van Gelder following a lyrical introductory statement by Lukassen; on the latter, playing soprano, he joins the saxophonist—who delivers a portentous solo—only toward the end. This piece carries an agreeable melodic drive and a bossa-inspired groove that brings the snare drum into sharp relief.
There are two tracks with vocals: “Interlude”, sung by Céline Rudolph, and “Luna”, which features Lukassen’s own voice (he previously sang in the German National Jazz Orchestra). Although not the strongest moments, they provide a sense of contrast.
Honing his compositional approach, Lukassen establishes a distinctive sonic space, drifting mellifluously between modernist activity and reformed tradition, all while maintaining a cohesive group identity.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Estuary ► 04 - Palisades ► 05 - Karma ► 08 - The Traveller