Benedikt Jahnel Trio - The Invariant (2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

The trio with Spanish bassist Antonio Miguel and Canadian drummer Owen Howard has been an invariant in the life of Berlin based pianist Benedikt Jahnel. Hence the album title: "The Invariant" is issued as the group goes on tour to celebrate its tenth anniversary as a working unit. The opening track Further Consequences picks up where the critically-lauded Equilibrium left off, extending ideas about pianistic patterning and textural playing. Like many of Jahnel's tunes an odd-metered piece, it also contains elements of swing in its solo sections, as the pianist reacts to the implications of Owen Howard's drumming. A distinctive and original pianist, Jahnel is also a prolific writer and The Invariant pools the best of many pieces he has composed, road-tested and revised in the last five years, incorporating the dynamic responses of his trio partners into the fabric of the musical material.

The Invariant is the latest release from the acclaimed ECM Records act Benedikt Jahnel Trio, who are comprised of Jahnel on piano, Antonio Miguel on double bass, and drummer Owen Howard. Now ten years together as a band, the trio waste no time in continuing on with what they created on their previous effort Equilibrium, delivering 8 engaging Jahnel compositions steeped in modern jazz sensibilities, catchy melodies, and a fair amount of complex time signature acrobatics. Opening track "Further Consequences" sees the leaders piano flights weave and soar around nimble rhythms, while an extended bass solo from Miguel drives the lovely "The Circuit" into grand, melodic terrain. The near 10-minute "Mirrors" is lovely yet mysterious at the same time, Jahnet's skills as a composer working wonders and allowing all three musicians to breathe and roam within the trio framework. I'm reminded of early period Chick Corea here a bit. Howard's tricky drum patterns play off Miguel's rumbling bass before cascades of piano join the fray on the upbeat "Part of the Game", a highly engaging piece that is easily one of the albums highlights. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the moody, foreboding "Interpolation One" provides a hint of dark menace, the trio loose yet commanding in delivering some brooding tones. In short, The Invariant is a lovely little album from a trio that's not afraid to stretch their musical muscles but also back that up with memorable melodies and alluring arrangements. Another winner from the always dependable ECM Records.

Tracklist:

01 - Further Consequences
02 - The Circuit
03 - Mirrors
04 - Mono Lake
05 - Part Of The Game
06 - For The Encore
07 - Interpolation One
08 - En passant

Produced by Manfred Eicher. Recording Engineer: Jan Eric Kongshaug.
Recorded in March 2016 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo, Norway.

Musicians:
Benedikt Jahnel - piano
Antonio Miguel - double bass
Owen Howard - drums


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