Label: ECM Records, 2020
Personnel - Wolfgang Muthspiel: guitar; Scott Colley: bass; Brian Blade: drums.
Austrian jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel first came to prominence as a leader in the 1990’s with albums that featured giants such as John Patitucci, George Garzone, Tom Harrell, Peter Erskine, Marc Johnson, and Paul Motian, among others.
Lately, under the seal of the ECM Records, he has been exploring mostly original compositions in the quintet and trio formats. And it was exactly in the latter configuration that Angular Blues was shaped, a sonically pleasant recording that relies on the rhythmic elegance of bassist Scott Colley and drummer Brian Blade. If the drummer is a regular partner, the bassist replaces Larry Grenadier and gives his first contribution to a project by Muthspiel. But let me tell you, he reacts with the intimacy of a family member.
Colley’s improvisatory imagination brings groove and emotion to the title cut, a rhythmically intricate and complexly patterned blues that, after all, sounds more cohesive than jagged, while on the opening track, “Wondering”, he expresses the theme statement with poise. The narrative here develops in a 5/4 meter signature, with Muthspiel weaving delicate guitar textures and delivering a limpid acoustic guitar solo.
Like the previously cited pieces, the spacious, affectionately brushed folk ballad “Huttengriffe” is plucked and strummed on the acoustic guitar, whereas “Camino” benefits from electric sounds, offering an intriguing, reflective, and somewhat poignant experience. At odds with this thoughtful and literate mood, “Ride” is a frisky bebop infusion with shades of Barney Kessell and Joe Pass. Also dwelling in a more traditional realm are the standards “I’ll Remember April” and “Everything I Love”. The latter, a Cole Porter song, is rendered with unambiguous rhythmic ideas, also showing off trade eights between the soloists and Blade in addition to notable improvisations from guitar and bass.
My favorite piece on the album is “Kanon in 6/8”, which puts the triumvirate’s quick-witted communication on display. They go full steam ahead, applying cascading designs and a pliant rhythmic control, in a piece that also highlights the bandleader’s superb harmonic qualities and soloing dexterity, here with a modest tendency for rock. There’s also a solo classical-like version of this piece in 5/4, expressed with an improvisatory flair and where a sense of calm pervades.
Muthspiel’s new trio effort is simultaneously refreshing and comforting.
Grade A-
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Angular Blues ► 06 - Everything I Love ► 07 - Kanon in 6/8