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Reviewers: Tony Augarde [Editor], Don Mather, Sam Webster, Jonathan Woolf, Glyn Pursglove



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JEF NEVE TRIO

Soul in a Picture

EmArcy 0602517720398

 

 


 
1. Remorse
2. Lay Down, Deep Down
3. Intro to Sehnsucht
4. Sehnsucht
5. Lacrimosa
6. A Waterfall Never Comes Alone
7. How Blue Can I Get?
8. Fur Lize
9. Soul in a Picture
 
Jef Neve - Piano, Hammond organ
Piet Verbist - Double bass
Teun Verbruggen - Drums, electronics
Piet Van Bockstal - Oboe (Track 9)
Vera Van Eyndhoven - Flute (track 9)
Erwin Scheltjens - Clarinet (track 9)
 
With the sudden tragic death of Esbjorn Svensson and the inevitable end of his trio EST, perhaps there is space for another piano trio with a similarly minimal approach to the jazz trio. Like EST, the trio led by Belgian pianist Jef Neve specialises in understatement, although it sometimes breaks into more showy playing. Bassist Piet Verbist is generally restrained, while drummer Teun Verbruggen concentrates more on tom-toms and snare-drum clicks than on the cymbals.
This makes for an intriguing, often hypnotic sound, with Jef using the sustain pedal a great deal to generate a flowing feeling. And, like EST, the trio has been together for long enough (six years) to be able to interact empathically. This is their fourth album together, and the togetherness shows.

Jef Neve studied classical music as well as jazz, and there is an echo of Debussy in much of his playing, especially in terms of its fluidity. There is also a calm, meditative quality in much of his playing, which may not appeal to all jazz fans - some of whom might prefer more animation. One track seems to blend into another, like a continuous soundtrack. However, if you liked EST, you will almost certainly like this.

Tony Augarde

 

 

 

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