“Angular Blues” is a delight-filled album from the trio of Wolfgang Muthspiel (leader), Scott Colley, and the always masterly Brian Blade. The usually pristine ECM sound allows the listener to hear each musician and their glorious interactions are an integral part of what makes the recording so enjoyable. Check it out!
Step Tempest
This trio makes powerful and moving music. Everything they do is in service to the music and takes place in close relationship with each other as players. “Scott and Brian share my love of song,” Muthspiel says, “while at the same time there is constant musical conversation about these songs.” That sums it up pretty well.
Gary Whitehouse (Green Man Review)
Muthspiel possesses some of the finest ears alert to a chord change imaginable and his sound manages to combine both technical skill and interpretative grace.
Marlbank.net
There is so much to commend Wolfgang Muthspiel latest recording Angular Blues: the beautiful textures created by its guitar, bass and drums sonority; the outstanding quality of the musicianship on display; the interesting original compositions which bring forth reflective and introspective improvisations; the unique musical personalities of Wolfgang, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Brian Blade, all of whom are respectful of the Jazz tradition while, at the same time, bringing forth their own unique, individual voices.
It’s rare that a recording comes fully formed in terms of the excellence of its music, the musicians who perform it and the audio aura that captures it. Angular Blues is one of these singular occasions and Manfred Eicher should be rightfully pleased and proud of his production.
Steven Cerra (Jazz Profiles)
“The coolly graceful guitarist digs back into classic jazz vibes on this spontaneous and songrooted set.”
The Guardian
“A highlight that deserves close listening”
Tyran Grillo (NYC Jazz Record)
“After having lived with this music for a few weeks the album stands out to me as a testament to Muthspiel’s full-blown artistry, his position among the foremost Jazz guitarists of the present-day. He has arrived, of that there is no doubt. Outstanding album this is. Do not miss it.”
Grego Applegate Edwards
Their excellent album […] a worthy addition to an ECM lineage that includes classic albums by John Abercrombie and Terje Rypdal.
Nate Chinen
“Speaking of excitable,listen to Blade and Colley coax Muthspiel’s inner rock guitar god out of hiding on the fiery, jazz-rocking “Kanon in 6/8.”It’s a real treat, just like the whole album.”
Mike Jurkovich (All about Jazz)
“The way this trio tosses the ball around is a joy, but this is never a Harlem Globetrotters-styled showcase. The all take turns offering perfect assists, they are a team and this is tight, invigorating modern jazz.”
Simon Sweetman (offthetracks.co.nz)
“What a beautiful album this is.”
Bebop spoken here
“Rich and pastoral interplay is created by guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel as he leads a symbiotic trio with Scott Colley on bass and deft drummer Brian Blade.”
George W. Harris (jazzweekly.com)
Friedrich Kunzmanns Top 5 2018, All About Jazz, December 2018
“In the footsteps of 2016’s Rising Grace (ECM), but in no way less impressive, Where the River Goes presents a guitarist who has found a home in ECM with a cast of musicians which understands him unconditionally and helps him shine all the way. Wolfgang Muthspiel at his best.”
Peter Bacon, London Jazz News, November 2018
“There is that dedication to the melodic interweave, that lovely balance of structure and freedom, with the arrangements integral to the music and running right through it but in an unobtrusive way, a bit like invisible stitching mysteriously creating a marvellous flowing and twisting shape.”
Thomas Conrad, Stereophile (4,5 * Review), November 2018
“All-star bands are often fun but rarely make albums that last – jazz ensembles require time to develop oneness. The quintets on Rising Grace and Where the River Goes are exceptions.
Suzanne Lorge, Downbeat 4 * Review, November 2018
“[…] On this album, Muthspiel again creates a space for his ensemble’s sonic musings, each player expounding on the guitarist’s musical assertions—his clean chordal structures, his descents into dissonance, his satisfying resolutions. Their discourse is one of understated beauty […]”
Brian Zimmermann, Jazziz, October 2018
“Wolfgang Muthspiel is one of the most influential guitarists of his generation, particularly for the contingent of players – and listeners — who inhabit the aesthetic zone between classical and jazz.“
Steve Futterman, Qwest TV, October 2018
“Muthspiel, who is fully matured as a player, fits in perfectly with these first class musicians; the band itself jells as if it had been together for a long time. The weave of guitar and horn bursts with character, Mehldau, one of the most celebrated pianists of his generation is always accommodating, and the Grenadier-Harland hookup is a dream. And while Muthspiel is best known as a distinctive electric guitarist, he dots this captivating album with examples of his equally fine acoustic playing.”
Filipe Freitas, Jazz Trail, October 2018
„In order to address a new set of never-recorded compositions, Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel reenlists the same American musicians who had brought Rising Grace, his previous album, to life. The guitarist builds up Where The River Goes as a natural follow-up to its predecessor but offering new experiences with each tune, a fruit of his deep musical sensibility.“
Steph Cosme, Staccatofy, October 2018
“Muthspiel composed all but two of the eight tunes on the date. The music is largely atmospheric and grows organically from the band’s listening ability and interaction skills. As a result, each player has room to delve into their own expression within Muthspiel’s musical context. This is jazz that is deep in both its history, listening and performance. For these reasons, Where The River Goes is not to be missed. That’s the short of it!”
Thom Jurek, Allmusic, October 2018
„Its [Where The River Goes] seemingly effortless conversation sets a new bar for this group going forward.”
Mark Sullivan, All About Jazz, October 2018
„Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel returns with the same lyrical magic that characterized his previous quintet recording Rising Grace (ECM, 2016). […] Another beautiful album from this quintet, and one which rewards close listening. Hopefully they will continue to reconvene periodically as their busy individual schedules allow.”
Intimes Interplay von fünf melomanen Musikern
Text: Heinrch Brinkmöller-Becker
Ein aktuelles Album, das stark an Ralph Towner oder Pat Metheny oder Jim Hall im Zusammenspiel mit Kenny Wheeler erinnert, überrascht insofern, als dieses nach déjà entendu, bestimmt nicht nach Innovation klingt – aber das gerade bei ECM erschienene Album Rising Grace klingt trotzdem verdammt gut. Dies mag daran liegen, dass der österreichische Gitarrist Wolfgang Muthspiel mit seinen „angestammten“ Rhythmikern Larry Grenadier am Kontrabass und Brian Blade am Schlagzeug zusätzlich zwei ebenfalls herausragende Musiker ins Quintett-Boot holt: keinen Geringeren als Brad Mehldau am Piano und den umwerfenden jungen Trompeter Ambrose Akinmusire.
Ljubisa Tosic
Der Gitarrist gastiert am Mittwoch im Porgy & Bess. Im Trio wird er sich in das Abenteuer der Improvisation stürzen
Wien – Das gute alte Jazztrio ist eine der quasi klassischen Besetzungen. Es war einem Pianisten wie Oscar Peterson wichtig, um sich auf Basis der diszipliniert swingenden Unterstützung (von Bass und Schlagzeug) zu entfalten. Es war aber auch einem Ekstatiker wie Pianist Keith Jarrett wichtig, um wiederum Formen zu dehnen und die Freiheit des Monologs exzessiv zu zelebrieren.