Wit, energy and bold curves
Pianist Yves Theiler has recorded a second trio album with Luca Sisera and Lukas Mantel. A new warmth shines through the music, which is as subtle as it is complex.
The Yves Theiler Trio's debut album was released four years ago and was immediately voted Trio Album of the Year by the SRF2 culture editors. The 28-year-old pianist from Zurich says that he had actually wanted to double up earlier, but a change of personnel or instrument resulted in a delay. Instead of Valentin Dietrich's fretless electric bass, we now hear the double bass of Luca Sisera, with whom Theiler also plays in the band Roofer.
The sound of this instrument together with Sisera's fluid, melodic style lend the trio's rhythmically explosive yet crystal-clear, precise sound an almost sunny, new warmth. This much is already made clear in the first track of the second album co-produced by Radio SRF2 Dance In A Triangle clear. It is called For Bass and begins with an almost two-minute introduction, where a finely spun bass melody is driven forward by an insistent, single piano note and percussion, before Theiler introduces a powerful groove and a labyrinthine melody somewhere between Africa and Erik Satie.
The pianist has been working with percussionist Lukas Mantel for ten years. The resulting telepathic understanding allows the trio to illuminate the extremely subtle complexity of Theiler's compositions - most of which begin with an improvisation on the piano alone - with a rhythmic dynamic that provides strong emotional support for the breathtaking virtuosity on offer. With youthful playfulness, Theiler juggles with techniques and styles from all over the world, from Eritrea and Ahmad Jamal to post-rock. Nevertheless, you never get the feeling that you are dealing with a magpie, because each musician has their own voice and is not afraid to use it loud and clear. An album full of wit, energy and bold curves.
Yves Theiler Trio: Dance In A Triangle. Musiques suisses MGB Jazz 18
