Spark Of Life

The fine Polish Marcin Wasilewski piano trio is joined by tenor saxophonist Joakim Milder in this ECM album that is filled with melody and joy. From the first trio track, we relax. This is not some taxing novel free floating exploration so common with ECM releases but an album well grounded in familiar structured jazz. Gentle and mellow, Sudovian Dance is richly developed by the augmented group, as Milder's soaring sax adds emotive power. The titled work, its spirit captured well by the cover photograph and introduced by Miskiewicz's muffled drums, is sung sadly by the saxophone. Next is their take on a rousing Polish popular tune "Do rycerzy, do szlachty, do mieszczan," [catch it on YouTube for comparison] performed here slowly and softly. Sting is the composer of the following tune; his Message In A Bottle is played with a mysterious, darker, propulsive beat, affording more character than the original. Kryzszof Komeda, the late jazz pianist and film composer, penned Sleep Safe and Warm for Rosemary's Baby, and the quartet plays a sweet jazz lullaby that features Wasilewski's piano improvisations. Three Reflections begins with heartfelt phrasing; bassist Kurkiewicz solos, supporting the mood in the second section; and the intensity increases in the third with soft performer vocalise. Milder's turn is next in his composition Still, though the piece is hardly tranquil. Perhaps is refers to the other meaning: enduring. Actual Proof, Herbie Hancock's tune, is more abstract, more up-tempo, and with anxious drum work and fidgety piano. Grazyna Bacewicz was a classical violinist and respected composer, writing pieces between 1924 and 1967. The group is inspired by her dark Largo, from her second piano sonata. A reprise of Spark of Life concludes the album. 74 minutes of splendid music for quiet moods.

Warning: This album is magical and addictive. I admit it: I'm a huge fan of the Wasilewski Trio and I was a bit nonplussed when I first heard this highly anticipated release. I didn't think there was enough energy on this ballad heavy recording. At first, the originals didn't quite grab me as much as on Faithful. And I wasn't keen on the addition of a sax player. All that has changed: with repeated listenings I believe the Wasilewski trio has come up with something very special here, an accessible mood album that reveals hidden depths with repeated listening. Yes, I admit, the day I first got it, I considered the music so mellow that I actually put it on as background music for a dinner party I threw. It can work that way. But having taken it with me on many walks in the forest with a killer portable system, I can now say that this album has seeped under my skin. Milder's sax playing adds a nice flavor to the mix. He's not a Garbarek clone- he evinces a warm tone and is a highly melodic player- think of a sort of European Stan Getz.While Spark of Life is ballad heavy, there are some high energy moments, as in the Herbie Hancock cover of "Actual Proof" or in their modal cover of Sting's "Message in a Bottle". The band seems to find a great vehicle for free playing in both tunes, and one gets a taste of the quiet power of this group. I'm told that live they are anything but quiet-under the auspices of manfred Eicher there is a restraint that is present on this recording, but on these songs one can still sense the underlying power of this group. There are some nice originals, the gorgeous neo-classical opener, Austin (think January,) the mysterious Sudovian Dance (in 13,) and the lovely tone poem, Three Reflections. There are no wasted tracks here. It's a complete and satisfying journey, one well worth taking. It's one of the few albums I put on repeat on my long solitary walks in the hills. Highly recommended.

Finally, an engaging, melodic and balanced jazz project with great sonics to boot!. The Marcin Wasileski Trio with saxophonist Joakim Milder is a welcome break from much of the atonal schizophrenic jazz works that have come out in recent years. The group has a very clean, detailed and cohesive sound that makes you want to play it through many times over. Its simple structures draw you in, much like the magical minimalism expressed by the MJQ. I hope that the addition of Joakim Milder on this project is repeated in future recordings. The sound quality is notable with its expansive sound stage and detail. This recording should be in the running for the 2015 Grammy's.

Marcin Wasilewski Trio is to me one of the best jazz trio's I have heard in a very long time. The compositions are musical art. But that is what jazz is. An expression of emotion. If you are into jazz you get it. If not then you don't.

My comments will focus on the audio quality of this CD rather than its musicality, which other reviewers have addressed thoroughly with many positive observations with which I concur. The audio quality is -- in a word -- stunning. The soundstage has so much depth and "air" around the instruments, this disc sounds like a top-quality multi-channel SACD. It is engineered with a very light touch and a musical hand, which is to say, it doesn't sound "engineered" at all. The detail, dynamics, and especially the spatial quality of the sound are impeccable.

This is a very good piano trio. if you don't know much about Wasileski, he and his trio backed up Polish Jazz trumpeter, Tomasz Stanko for a few years before going on this own. As with most ECM recordings, the quality here is superb and the jazz first rate. You can think of this as minimalist jazz but the emphasis is more properly thought of as a focus on harmonies and in this sense, this is a very fine album by a very fine group. If none of this makes sense, just give it a listen. It's well worth your time

Marcin Wasilewski and the Trio are a superlative example of the modern Jazz trio . Spark of Life is the second album the trio have done in 2014 with a guest . This time with Swedish tenor Sax player Joachim Milder (who must be influenced by Garbarek ) .Earlier the MWT played on "Forever Young " along with guitarist Jacob Young as leader & Trygve Seim on saxes . Both of these albums are must buys for European jazz fans and will be in contention for album of the year 2014 , I'm sure . Both are brilliant .' Spark 'is amazing quality as we expect from Eicher & ECM and amazing value as it is 74 engrossing minutes duration. ('Forever Young' is a fantastic 74 minutes also)On 'Spark" 5 of the 11 tracks are penned by Marcin. The first track is a dedication to Austin Peralta and is a fine melodic tune in classic MWT style with exemplary piano work by Marcin. Track 2 'Sudodvian' introduces the beautiful solid tenor tones of Milder to perfect effect ..There are 2 title track versions written by Marcin and both have tenor sax threaded thru them with distinct hints of Garbarek which is a compliment to Milder.Track 4 , with the Polish title is just superb .Track 5 is a pacey interpretation of the Police track ' Message in a Bottle ' with wonderful melodic interplay on piano which I bet writer Sting approves ! On Track 6 'Sleep Safe & Warm ' (Komeda ) Milder takes prominence at times with a solid dreamy tenor tone . Track 8 "Still" by Milder has a sumptuous tenor lead with a solid trio backing . Another cover is track 9 "Actual Proof " (Herbie Hancock)on which they do poetic justice . Track 10 is the classical piano piece "Largo " treated with delicate respect by MWT.For me MWT have this year reinforced my thoughts that they taken over (from EST) as THE BEST piano /bass/drum trio on the current jazz scene with so much more to come I'm sure . You just cannot tire from listening to the clever arrangements & compositions which shows talent beyond their years .

Superb album. The opening track, 'Austin' is surprisingly lyrical, while the Police song, 'Message in a Bottle' is a revelation. Joakim Milder doesn't provide the kind of edginess that you get from Stanko, but he does contribute to the more reflective nature of the album. Outstanding stuff.

I adored Faithful...and this is excellent. ECM jazz ...addictive!

Excellent album by the band that was previously the Tomasz Stanko Quartet, now without Mr Stanko.

great album!