Record Reviews

WINDISCH QUARTET ~ MEANDER FUN IN THE CHURCH 029 (Barcode: 4260437157692) ~ GERMANY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the second album by Windisch QuartetFind albums by this artist, led by German pianist / composer Julius WindischFind albums by this artist with Icelandic saxophonist Solvi KolbeinssonFind albums by this artist, German bassist Felix HenkelhausenFind albums by this artist and Austrian drummer Max SantnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by the leader. The quartet represents well the wonderful contemporary burgeoning Berlin Jazz scene, which in recent years became one of the main centers of young European Jazz, full of international talent, which is incredibly creative and prolific. The music on this album is a fascinating amalgam of many contemporary Jazz trends, and although based on loosely stated melodic themes, offers mostly very open almost-Free improvisations, expressed by the various exchanges between the quartet members. Windisch utilizes several keyboards, including a synthesizer, which create an interesting diversity as the music develops. Kolbeinsson adds a gentle, almost romantic side, Henkelhausen cements the entire quartet sound with his superbly intelligent and steady bass lines and finally Santner ornaments the proceedings with his often irregular drum sequences. As usual in European jazz, it is the ensemble sound that matters here, carrying the message, rather than individual soloing, although there are plenty of great statements by each of the participants. It seems that Windisch is spearheading a very personal new Jazz stream, as shown by several new recordings released almost simultaneously in the last couple of years, and that feverish activity portrays the volcanic musical energy he is able to create, which is quite phenomenal. Overall, this is a brilliant album, full of unexpected twists and turns, innovative creativity and fascinating sound-weaving, which deserve to be heard. He is certainly a musician that is worth being followed and I eagerly wait to hear him in person performing live. It certainly seems like Berlin being the place to visit more often than I managed to do in recent years. Absolutely brilliant stuff!

Updated: 01/10/2022Posted: 01/10/2022

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