Rising Grace, DFunk

26.01.2017,

Rising Grace
Das neue Werk des Gitarristen Wolfgang Muthspiel 

Als schlichtweg betörend kann die Klangwelt charakterisiert werden, die Wolfgang Muthspiel in den vergangenen Jahren entwickelt hat. Schon 2014 hatte der in Wien lebende Gitarrist und Komponist mit seinem Trioalbum “Driftwood” eine zwischen romantischer Liedhaftigkeit und expressionistischen Soundscapes wechselnde Improvisationsmusik entwickelt.

Von Harald Rehmann

Kontrabassist Larry Grenadier und Schlagzeuger Brian Blade waren seinerzeit die wahrhaft kongenialen Partner, die mit Muthspiel ein Geflecht von Interaktionen voller Intelligenz und Emotion schufen und dabei doch weiten Raum ließen. Mit der aktuellen CD-Produktion “Rising Grace” rückt der Gitarrist – nomen est omen – die Anmut seiner Musik, vom Trio nun mit dem Pianisten Brad Mehldau und dem Trompeter Ambrose Akinmusire zum Quintett erweitert, noch weiter in den Vordergrund.

Den geistreichen musikalischen Dialogen in all ihrer geradezu traumhaften Einhelligkeit zu lauschen und sich dabei doch immer wieder von unerwarteten Wendungen überraschen zu lassen, gehört zu den faszinierendsten Hörerfahrungen im gegenwärtigen Jazz.

 

 

Angular Blues

23.04.2021

They grow up so fast. It seems like just yesterday that a wave of compelling young jazz guitarists—Liberty Ellman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Wolfgang Muthspiel among them – was bringing new life to the instrument. Now those players are middle-aged, with a new crop of nimble plectrists snapping at their heels. But Muthspiel’s “Angular Blues” proves that gifted improvisers can hit their stride in their autumn years. He doesn’t let his agile fingers do all the thinking for him: his lines breathe rather than pant, particularly on the first three tracks, which feature acoustic guitar. Partnered with two receptive players—the drummer Brian Blade and the bassist Scott Colley—Muthspiel demonstrates his artistic maturity, but he still finds moments to loosen the reins, as on the aptly tided “Ride.”

Steve Futterman (New Yorker)

Angular Blues

23. April 2021
They grow up so fast. It seems like just yesterday that a wave of compelling young jazz guitarists—Liberty Ellman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Wolfgang Muthspiel among them – was bringing new life to the instrument. Now those players are middle-aged, with a new crop of nimble plectrists snapping at their heels. But Muthspiel’s “Angular Blues” proves that gifted improvisers can hit their stride in their autumn years. He doesn’t let his agile fingers do all the thinking for him: his lines breathe rather than pant, particularly on the first three tracks, which feature acoustic guitar. Partnered with two receptive players—the drummer Brian Blade and the bassist Scott Colley—Muthspiel demonstrates his artistic maturity, but he still finds moments to loosen the reins, as on the aptly tided “Ride.”
Steve Futterman (New Yorker)

Angular Blues

23. April 2021
They grow up so fast. It seems like just yesterday that a wave of compelling young jazz guitarists—Liberty Ellman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Wolfgang Muthspiel among them – was bringing new life to the instrument. Now those players are middle-aged, with a new crop of nimble plectrists snapping at their heels. But Muthspiel’s “Angular Blues” proves that gifted improvisers can hit their stride in their autumn years. He doesn’t let his agile fingers do all the thinking for him: his lines breathe rather than pant, particularly on the first three tracks, which feature acoustic guitar. Partnered with two receptive players—the drummer Brian Blade and the bassist Scott Colley—Muthspiel demonstrates his artistic maturity, but he still finds moments to loosen the reins, as on the aptly tided “Ride.”
Steve Futterman (New Yorker)

Angular Blues

28.04.2020

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)