Enrico Rava/Stefano Bollani: The Third Man (ECM/Ode)

 |   |  <1 min read

Enrico Rava/Stefano Bollani: In Search of Titina
Enrico Rava/Stefano Bollani: The Third Man (ECM/Ode)

It often surprises me what record companies prioritise. My understanding is that the German label ECM is putting a push behind the new album by percussionist Manu Katche, Playground, which is a fine, but somewhat straight-ahead jazz album and not especially adventurous for the most part.

Real interest there lies with pianist Marcin Wasilewski who has played with the Thomas Stanko group, and has therefore appeared at Elsewhere (see tag).

A considerably more interesting album in ECM's new releases is this trumpet and piano duo.

With Rava's exploratory trumpet floating almost weightlessly above the sometimes skeletal playing of young pianist Bollani there is an austere quality here, but it is never without soul or subtlety. Naturally with an album which comes with such an evocative title -- the Graham Greene novel and Orson Welles film, although it perhaps also refers to producer Manfred Eicher -- there are dark corners, even in their seven minute exploration of Jobim's romantic reverie Retrato Em Branco Y Preto which is one of the many high points on an album which deserves -- and rewards -- serious attention.

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Jazz at Elsewhere articles index

Steve Kuhn Trio: Wisteria (ECM/Ode)

Steve Kuhn Trio: Wisteria (ECM/Ode)

Elegance in piano playing is usually the description reserved for the exclusive use of reviewers about Bill Evans, but here Steve Kuhn makes a strong claim on thoughtful pieces such as the title... > Read more

The Eastern: Cthulhu (RPR)

The Eastern: Cthulhu (RPR)

Here's something we like and use it draw your attention in advance of Record Store Day tomorrow. Rough Peel in Wellington has its own label and has done vinyl of albums by the Eastern,... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

Selwyn Birchwood: Living in a Burning House (Alligator/Southbound)

Selwyn Birchwood: Living in a Burning House (Alligator/Southbound)

This 35-year old bluesman from Florida sounds much older than his years, and although on Chicago's tough urban-blues Alligator label (which makes sense) at times his brutal guitar playing could... > Read more

JIMI HENDRIX (2000): A slight return to the Experience

JIMI HENDRIX (2000): A slight return to the Experience

To fully appreciate the impact Jimi Hendrix had, you need to forget the decades of myth-making and t-shirts since his death. Try to imagine the music world in 1966. When Jimi... > Read more