Niklas Lukassen: Still Waters

Multi-instrumentalist Niklas Lukassen spins a pleasant mix of tunes on Still Waters. Joined by a stellar team, including saxophonist Ben van Gelder, pianist Kit Downes and drummer Francesco Ciniglio (as well as several others spotted throughout), the quartet moves with the ease of skilled swimmers through the music. An internationally influenced album, the music reflects his own life experiences of traveling through Europe as well as studying under bassist Ron Carter at the Manhattan School of Music. Now teaching in London, the musician still makes time to compose and collaborate with other open-minded, versatile artists.

Starting with a snippet-like piece that lasts just around a minute, the project takes off. "The Deep," at first, does not seem very deep; it could be considered ironic really, as if the band is practicing a short section of a long song they plan to play later on. Yet, a daringness comes to mind when one considers it alongside the whole. "Estuary" comes in and feels much more solid. A sway takes hold as the sax and piano come to the forefront. Percussion and bass work well in the background. After a minute though, they taper off and bass gently takes the lead. The timing feels correct, smartly considered. If anything, such a structure shows off Lukassen's sense of flow, of not being constricted or restricted by older modes of jazz playing. In short, the bandleader has a sense of play about him, a whimsy that appears here and there, as with "Metamorphosis."

"Karma" is a wavering piece that spotlights Downes on Hammond organ. A wonderful organic quality seeps out of the track. It is a bit chaotic at times, but never overly wild. One of the longer pieces, it manages to retain a sense of order, even toward the end, where the instrumental lines crisscross and layer each other in an almost breathless fashion. It is quite exhilarating. Then we get a vocal track, featuring Céline Rudolph, "Interlude." Her airy, whispery voice recalls Flora Purim's on Light as a Feather (Polydor, 1973), although without the Latin atmosphere of course. As with the rest of the project, a wistful tone dominates. (The other vocal track, "Luna," is not as successful at attaining a graceful air.)

On the whole, Lukassen is an accomplished musician who brings a variety of flavors together to make his own musical soufflé. Many of the tracks glitter by, some with funkier sections and some with smoother phrases that show the evident skill set of the members. The 12 tracks do not feel like a chore to listen to. With fluid energy as well as a sense of taste, the group carries itself and the music to attractive heights.

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