COLIN VALLON TRIO – Le Vent
ECM 376 2782
Colin Vallon (piano); Patrice Moret (double bass); Julian Sartorius (drums)
Recorded April 2013
This is pianist Vallon’s second album for ECM following on from Rruga that was recorded some three years earlier and whilst the language remains the same Le Vent has offer a whole new sound, and this can be attributed directly to the change of drummer. Samuel Ruhrer who played on the debut album was much more explicit in his approach to metre and the rhythmic propulsion that drove the music forward. In contrast, his replacement, Julian Santorius brings a different sound and overall role for the drums in the trios gently captivating music, making effective use of the scraping of sticks on cymbals and other small gestures, sometimes playing against the piano and bass who will stick to their prescribed roles until common ground is found.
Within the music performed by the trio there is a great creative tension that Vallon successfully resolves in each composition, with the pianist being fond of using repetitive melodic riffs and ostinato. Much of the music is of a sedate tempo allowing ideas to evolve gradually that reveal the internal logic of the material and the way in which the musicians interact with each other in such an intuitive manner. A fine example of this can be heard on ‘Rouge’ that slowly and change as if by metamorphosis to become something new only for the process to begin again.
The title track, ‘Le Vent’ is almost painstakingly compiled, gradually leading into an ostinato from which the tension is yet further heightened, and not to be relinquished until the final notes decay. By contrast, there is a nobility in the progression of ‘Juuichi’ that suggests an original and new way of utilising silence, space and movement.
Two brief pieces, both under the under two and a half minutes in duration, close the set. Both are free improvisations by the trio with ‘Styx’ displaying a scintillating three way dialogue, whilst ‘Coriolis' follows a more dissonant and out of tempo route. All in all, Le Vent is a satisfying listen, a truly collective effort with all three musicians contributing to an imaginative and original album.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 376 2782
Colin Vallon (piano); Patrice Moret (double bass); Julian Sartorius (drums)
Recorded April 2013
This is pianist Vallon’s second album for ECM following on from Rruga that was recorded some three years earlier and whilst the language remains the same Le Vent has offer a whole new sound, and this can be attributed directly to the change of drummer. Samuel Ruhrer who played on the debut album was much more explicit in his approach to metre and the rhythmic propulsion that drove the music forward. In contrast, his replacement, Julian Santorius brings a different sound and overall role for the drums in the trios gently captivating music, making effective use of the scraping of sticks on cymbals and other small gestures, sometimes playing against the piano and bass who will stick to their prescribed roles until common ground is found.
Within the music performed by the trio there is a great creative tension that Vallon successfully resolves in each composition, with the pianist being fond of using repetitive melodic riffs and ostinato. Much of the music is of a sedate tempo allowing ideas to evolve gradually that reveal the internal logic of the material and the way in which the musicians interact with each other in such an intuitive manner. A fine example of this can be heard on ‘Rouge’ that slowly and change as if by metamorphosis to become something new only for the process to begin again.
The title track, ‘Le Vent’ is almost painstakingly compiled, gradually leading into an ostinato from which the tension is yet further heightened, and not to be relinquished until the final notes decay. By contrast, there is a nobility in the progression of ‘Juuichi’ that suggests an original and new way of utilising silence, space and movement.
Two brief pieces, both under the under two and a half minutes in duration, close the set. Both are free improvisations by the trio with ‘Styx’ displaying a scintillating three way dialogue, whilst ‘Coriolis' follows a more dissonant and out of tempo route. All in all, Le Vent is a satisfying listen, a truly collective effort with all three musicians contributing to an imaginative and original album.
Reviewed by Nick Lea