Zanussi 5, Live in Coimbra

Composer-bassist Per Zanussi and his Zanussi 5 have something very together happening which you can hear readily and excitingly on their recent Live in Coimbra (Clean Feed 314). They are an excellent illustration of what's going on today in the vibrant European improv-jazz scene.

Though only a quintet they have a deceptively large sound thanks to Zanussi's effective compositional use of a three-horn frontline and the interaction the three get going on this set. Kjetil Moster gets some good sounds on tenor, soprano and clarinet; Jorgen Mathisen expands the sound with his tenor and clarinet; and Eirik Hegdal rounds it all out on baritone and clarinet. As a clarinet trio they sound very striking but the various combinations via doubling give us plenty of additional sound color variations which Zanussi puts to very good use. The rhythm section has drive and presence with Per of course playing a central pivotal role on bass, riffing, improvising and anchoring everything very well. Gard Nilssen has a vibrant and swinging presence on drums.

The compositional routines are invigorating, with the three-horn lines defining the sound well and the individual soloing communicating nicely as do the interactive three-ways that come to the forefront now and again. I like especially Hegdal's baritone acrobatics, but everybody sounds quite good.

The music has an original feel, an accomplished togetherness and individuality. Zanussi writes some beautiful charts. It is new jazz of real stature! I heartily recommend you hear this.

Trespass Trio & Joe McPhee, Human Encore

Not every promising collaboration lives up to its potential. Some disappoint because the chemistry isn't there or there wasn't enough preparation before the actual encounter. That isn't the case with the meeting of Joe McPhee and Trespass Trio, as heard on the very stimulating live disk Human Encore (Clean Feed 369).

The foursome played in a special three-day residence at Jazz Ao Centro at Salao Brazil, Coimbra, Portugal during the summer of 2012. The disk is some highlights of that appearance. McPhee is on tenor and pocket trumpet, Martin Kuchin, alto and baritone, Per Zanussi, double bass, and Raymond Strid, drums.

It features both free blowing and compositional structures. What's exceptional about it is the sympatico meld they get. McPhee clearly gets inspiration from the trio and vice versa. Joe's trumpet stands out more dramatically when part of a two-horn front line, and everybody works marvelously together for some bold music-making. The two-plus-two breakdown of McPhee-Kuchen and Zanussi-Strid gives double clout to the outcome, though of course all four mix it up in different ways throughout.

There is intent in the music, nothing slap-dash or thrown together. All play freely, thoughtfully, movingly. It's a kick, a bit of master-inspiration, a disk you should not miss if you are into what is new in new jazz avantdom.