Estonian pianist Kristjan Randalu makes his ECM debut with a striking album of his own rigorous-yet-lyrical music, sensitively played by a group formed especially for this recording, with US guitarist Ben Monder and Finnish drummer Markku Ounaskari.
In this session recorded in Pernes-les-Fontaines in the south of France, their structures are prised open. Guitar and drums subtly illuminate the pieces from inside, casting light on their originality. Among other attributes, Monder and Ounaskari are outstanding colourists and textural players, and they bring out much of the fine detail implied in Randalu’s writing with inspired improvising.
PERSONNEL:
KRISTJAN RANDALU, piano
BEN MONDER, guitar
MARKKU OUNASKARI, drums
Recorded July 10-12, 2017, Studios La Buissonne, Pernes-les-Fontaines.
TRACKS:
01. Forecast
02. Lumi I
03. Sisu
04. Lumi II
05. Escapism
06. Adaption I
07. Adaption II
08. Partly Clouded
09. Absence