CD ECM Records Arild Andersen: The Triangle

2003

Arild Andersen contrabas
Vassilis Tsabropoulos pian
John Marshall tobe

 

Arild Andersen's trio emphasises the writing and playing of Greek pianist Vassilis Tsabropoulos, whose melodic improvising and sense of form are influenced by his background as a classical musician. Tsabropoulos's tunes, and his arrangement of Ravel here, cast the jazz ‘piano trio’ genre in another light – as do his contributions to Andersen’s pieces and the collective improvisation “European Triangle'. Arild Andersen's driving bass and John Marshall's inventive drums give the music its sense of propulsion. Recorded 2003.

For a player with a background in classical music, pianist Vassilis Tsabropoulos has done wonders in the realm of jazz, and specifically improvisation. He still plays with a precise, sensitive touch and measures out dissonance in carefully metered pinches, but the tidal ebb and flow that characterizes this trio recording stands as remarkable evidence that he’s made the transition completely and elegantly. .. All three musicians on Triangle are active and forward players. John Marshall favors reinforcing the beat… Andersen, who has 15 recordings to his credit as a leader, plays with the confidence of a seasoned veteran and utilizes his deft and limber dexterity to connect the dots in counterintuitive ways.
A top pick of 2004
Nils Jacobson, All about Jazz

Andersen plays superb bass, soloing with thoughtfully developed lines and a catchy, joyful spirit. The Triangle is a delightful album, featuring Andersen in the company of musicians who complement his mood well, and who are obviously inspired by his compositions. In an ideal world, it should see Andersen’s profile rise to a more decent and proper level of appreciation for his output. Vassilis Tsabropoulos is a consistently inventive and surprisingly versatile soloist, and John Marshall is his usual master of opaque percussive colourings and subtle time shadings … an immensely enjoyable album.
Philip Clark, Jazzreview

This trio put out an equally strong CD on ECM a few years back called Achirana, while Tsabropoulos’ ECM solo CD, Akroasis, was a fine set of interpretations of Eastern Orthodox hymns. It doesn’t surprise that this new record is the equal of its predecessors. … Opening with Tsabropoulos’ lovely, stately “Straight”, you’re immediately struck by the level of fluidity and empathy the group achieves and Ravel’s “Pavanne”, which follows, takes this to an even higher level.
Duncan Heining, Jazzwise