January

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Second ECM album for the Marcin Wasilewski Trio, the artists formerly known as the Simple Acoustic Trio, features covers of Prince's hit "Diamonds and Pearls" and Ennio Morricone's "Cinema Paradiso" as well as music by Carla Bley, Gary Peacock, Tomasz Stanko, and original tunes by pianist Wasilewski including a standard-in-the-making, "The First Touch."

"In the entire history of Polish jazz we've never had a band like this one. They just keep getting better and better," says the trio's mentor Tomasz Stanko.

After labouring for years as variously the Simple Acoustic Trio and the Simply Acoustic Trio, Marcin Wasilewski, Slawomir Kurkiewicz and Michal Miskiewicz have now decided to call themselves (simply) the Marcin Wasilewski Trio. The group is run as democratically as before, but now accepts the convention that a piano trio is named after its pianist. Besides, Wasilewski is also the group's main composer.

This time around Marcin's tunes, including the standard-in-the-making "The First Touch", are flanked by all kinds of delights including: "Diamonds and Pearls", a cover of Prince's 1991 pop hit; Carla Bley's "King Korn", for followers of new jazz an essential piece; Gary Peacock's "Vignette" (a tune previously played by Wasilewski's early hero Keith Jarrett on 'Tales of Another'); Tomasz Stanko's "Balladyna" title track from the album that introduced the trio's mentor to ECM back in 1975; Ennio Morricone's "Cinema Paradiso" title theme from the 1988 film; and "New York 2007", a concluding improvisation by the Wasilewski Trio, celebrating the recording itself.

Wasilewski and bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz began playing together, aged 15, in 1990. Drummer Michal Miskiewicz joined them in 1993. In the late 90s they began working with Tomasz Stanko, appeared on his 'Soul of Things', 'Suspended Night' and 'Lontano' ECM albums and have performed with him around the world. (Additionally, Wasilewski and Kurkiewicz play with Manu Katché's highly popular group - see ECM albums 'Neighbourhood' and 'Playground'.) In Poland, the trio quickly built up a reputation, releasing albums locally and winning awards but it was ECM's endorsement that put them on the world stage. Their previous album 'Trio' received rave reviews and sold extremely well.

Personnel: Marcin Wasilewski (piano), Slawomir Kurkiewicz (double bass), Michal Miskiewicz (drums)











REVIEW
(4 stars) Part of the group's secret is the patient ease with which they intertwine impressionistic music and powerful pulses.
-- The Guardian, (John Fordham), January 25, 2008

(4 stars) There's lovely take on Prince's Diamonds and Pearls. Morricone's Cinema Paradiso is also elegantly re-invented.low-key beauty abounds. -- The Times, (John Bungey), March 8, 2008

(Album Of The Week) A slice of late-night, noir listening.filled with space and atmosphere.closes with a wonderful improvised ballad. -- The Independent, (Tim Cumming), February 23, 2008

.deliciously intelligent, subtly deployed sense of rhythm and dynamics. An utterly compelling album, from three of Europe's finest. -- Jazz Journal International, (Michael Tucker), July 2008

His sense of dynamics and poise is highlighted by his thoughtful use of tension and release. -- Jazzwise, (Stuart Nicholson), February 2008

This album shows his continued progress.some of the writing and playing shows considerable onward development from his earlier work. -- Piano, (Alyn Shipton), July/August 2008

Unhurried yet acutely focused lyricism.Wasilewski's touch and phrasing are quite superb, soulful and elegant in equal measure. -- Jazz Journal International, (Michael Tucker), July 2008

Number of Discs: 1

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