Pablo Held - Investigations

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:41
Size: 124,1 MB
Art: Front

(7:47)  1. Investigations
(4:20)  2. Dr. Freeds
(5:18)  3. I'll Dream of Flowers
(6:24)  4. Yearning
(4:58)  5. Stubborn
(5:38)  6. April Sonne
(6:13)  7. Birkenhain
(4:45)  8. Haiku Kit
(3:13)  9. Pinatubo - Bonus Track
(5:01) 10. Sonja's Rumba - Bonus Track

The complex title perfectly characterises Pablo Held's compositional approach. Here he utilises light and shade to mix swathes of tranquillity with petulant stabbing phrases accompanied by equally sharp drum retorts. However, and this is crucial, the piece flows together seamlessly. The lissome nature of "Dr Freeds" betrays an influence of Bill Evans but the ethereal, searching quality encapsulating "I'll Dream Of Flowers" is more reminiscent of compositions by Held's erstwhile mentor, the British jazz piano virtuoso John Taylor. The integrated tightness of the trio on the opening to "Yearning" is phenomenal as is the coiled-spring tension that's released half way through that number. The lyricism of "April Sonne," the sonic contours of "Birkenhain" or the questioning staccato piano runs on the spacey "Haiku Kit," here embellished by guest keyboardist Hubert Nuss, all add up to a very superior studio session indeed. 

Investigations is the tenth album by Held as leader with his regular rhythm section comprising Robert Landfermann on bass and Jonas Burgwinkel on drums which he's used since their first record together in 2007, Forest Of Oblivion. The trio gel together as well as any jazz unit could hope to aspire and even exude something of the near-supernatural compatibility of the legendary Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette line-up. In 2014 the Held's trio recorded a live album in Cologne with guitarist John Scofield The Trio Meets John Scofield, (Pirouet Records, 2016); and whilst mostly recognised as a European outfit, as evidenced by this stunningly beautiful album, the group really needs to be recognised as a world class trio of exceptional talent. ~ Roger Farbey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/investigations-pablo-held-edition-records-review-by-roger-farbey.php

Personnel: Pablo Held: piano; Robert Landfermann: double bass; Jonas Burgwinkel: drums plus Hubert Nuss: keyboards.

Investigations

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Pablo Held, John Scofield - The Trio Meets John Scofield

Styles: Piano And Guitar Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:30
Size: 146,3 MB
Art: Front

(14:44)  1. Cameo
(18:06)  2. Kubrick / Camp Out
(15:37)  3. Nocturne
( 9:50)  4. Imaginary Time
( 5:12)  5. Marcie

This encounter between jazz-fusion guitar star John Scofield and young German pianist Pablo Held’s trio will be just the ticket for Scofield followers who know him for his imposing jazz credentials as well as his funky, jam-band ones. Two tunes here are Scofield’s, two are Held’s, and the finale is a delicate jazz-ballad interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s Marcie, which the guitarist paints with all the soft hues his famous textural creativity offers him. Scofield delves back into something near the jazz phrasing of Wes Montgomery or Kenny Burrell on Held’s Cameo, which begins with impressionistic trickles and guitar effects and shakes itself into fluent swing over Robert Landfermann’s bass-walk. 

Scofield’s own Kubrick/Camp Out starts with unaccompanied musings on slinky elisions and bluesy chords, moving on to mix swing, dissonant arco-bass improv, and a time-juggling piano solo. Imaginary Time, a collage of brightly chiming melody, stop-time breaks and sly buildups, brings the house down at Cologne’s Philharmonic Hall. It’s a fascinating fresh setting for a unique guitarist who always means business. ~ John Fordham https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/18/pablo-held-john-scofield-trio-meets-john-scofield-review

Personnel:  Pablo Held - piano, composer; Robert Landfermann - bass;  Jonas Burgwinkel - drums;  John Scofield - guitar, composer

The Trio Meets John Scofield

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