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
CD Reviews
EmArcy
0602517720398
