Vespers is the second release from piano & harp player Iro Haarla's Finnish-Norwegian quintet, following up the very gorgeous Northbound. On this latest ECM gem, Haarla is once again joined by Mathias Eick (trumpet), Trygve Seim (tenor and soprano saxophone), Ulf Krokfors (double-bass), and Jon Christensen (drums).
Much of what you'll hear on Verspers is haunting, moody, yet ultimately beautiful & soaring jazz, performed by musicians at the height of their craft. Haarla paints plenty of tonal colors on tracks like "A Port On a Distant Shore" and the alluring title track, giving ample space for Eick & Seim to roam with heart tugging melodies. "A Window Facing South" has some smoldering 'be-bop' flavors going on, but just ever so slightly, thanks to Christensen's nimble drum work, Seim's far-reaching sax lines, and the ever majestic piano work of Haarla. Krokfors makes his presence known on the sultry "Returning Home", a dark slice of smoky jazz, littered with elastic double-bass lines and melodic sax & trumpet explorations.
There's plenty to enjoy on Verspers, which is ultimately a classy & memorable jazz affair from a group of real pros. While I would have liked to hear some 'playfulness' at times from the quartet (much of the CD has a very serious, dramatic, and somber tone), this is still very solid and enjoyable all the way around.
Track Listing
- A Port On A Distant Shore
- Vesper
- A Window Facing South
- The Warm Currents Of The Sea
- Doxa
- Satoyama
- The Shimmer Of Falling Stars
- Returning Home
- Adieux
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