Two years down the line from 2023’s Aether, Danish bassist and composer Morten Haxholm has gathered together that same quintet to continue his further adventures in repurposing the modern jazz ballad in his own image. With Thomas Dabrowski adding trumpet and Casper Hesselager bringing Wurlitzer and electronic elements, the richly soft-focus world that Morten produces is given even more depth.
A large part of the focus is on Lubos Soukup‘s sax and Rasmus Oppenhagen Krogh‘s guitar and they tend to lead, with the sax often drifting around any rhythm set up, the faint pop of cymbals the only abrupt sound. The players produce music that gazes with love, never raising its voice and almost always in harmony. The guitar enunciates carefully, like it is breaking new ground as the warm, dusky sax tries to draw the unobtrusive bass out of itself. There is care and consideration here and the pieces often feel as though there are dancers softly moving, wearing slippers so as not to disturb but fully engaged in the sinuous rhythm.
Electric piano injects a certain momentum, but the sax attempts to slow it down as if there is a proper way of doing things and it is an interesting battle, When the hair is let down a little, the rhythm section really seems to enjoy the opportunity to escape and make things swing, the lively percussion causing the toes to tap and the head to nod, if only for a little while. The cymbal wash and air of tranquil fatigue that follows feels like a satisfied conclusion, the tickle of piano and easy sax tone calming things down again.
It is lovely towards the end when the bass finally takes a step into the light, unlikely embellishment coming from a plangent guitar and some hedgerow scuffles. In fact, the scattered electronics that appear on the final track act as a counterpoint to the frosty piano of Nikolaj Hess. The piano and bass lead the group in something that is close to a waltz, but is too playful. There is a classical tone to the piano which adds a touch of melancholy and suits the autumnal mode.
It is a perfect opportunity to end the album and give some consideration to what we have just experienced. Aether II may seem cosy and soft but the little ripples that are scattered throughout give cause to reconsider.-Mr Olivetti-
