CD ECM Records Julia Hulsmann Trio: Imprint

2010

Julia Hulsmann - pian
Marc Muellbauer - contrabas
Heinrich Kbberling - tobe


Audiophiles Highlight des Monats

Like „End of a Summer“, overt virtuosity has little place on Imprint, but the equilateral triangle that form this trio, with each side gently pushing and pulling – never for dominance but, perhaps, for emphasis – is the unmistakable consequence of three players who, after being together for many years, have leapt to another plateau since joining ECM. With greater aplomb, and a more balanced blend of extroverted energy and the equal power of understatement, “Imprint” is a watershed recording for the egalitarian Hülsmann and her trio, and one of 2011’s best piano trio recordings to date.
John Kelmann, All About Jazz


On the second ECM disc from the popular Berlin-based Julia Hülsmann Trio, the leader’s themes stand out in stark relief, as if stamped or printed into the surrounding improvisation. “Imprint” offers highly communicative jazz in which melody, clearly-etched melody, is paramount. Hülsmann is a gifted jazz-composer and there are surprises amongst her pieces here, including a powerfully-swinging Thelonious Monk tribute entitled “Who’s Next”. Bassist Muellbauer and drummer Köbberling also contribute intriguing tunes of their own, and this year’s offbeat cover version is a lilting Austrian Schlager tune from the 1940s, “Kauf dir einen bunten Luftballon”.