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Tomasz Stanko Quartet: September Night
ByAn intensely lyrical player, Stanko was among the greatest ever mixologists of on-the-hoof melodicism and free improvisation. This rare talent shines through September Night, a corker of an album. It was recorded live (by ECM founder Manfred Eicher) in Munich in 2004, and twenty years later is getting its first release. Stańko leads his stellar new millennial Quartetpianist Marcin Wasilewski, double bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz, drummer Michal Miskiewiczwith whom he recorded three outstanding studio albums: Soul Of Things (ECM, 2002), Suspended Night (ECM, 2004) and Lontano (ECM, 2006). September Night was recorded between Suspended Night and Lontano and the Quartet can be heard moving some distance away from the structured lyricism of the first, while remaining connected, towards the freer approach of the second.
All seven pieces were composed by Stańko with the exception of "Kaetano," a group creation. It is impossible to pull out highlights, because the entire album is near perfect. But, under extreme duress, one might point to the joyous, dancing "Celina," at 10:43 the longest tracka live version from 2005 is on the YouTube belowand the loving "Song For Sarah," previously heard on Suspended Night, plus the pensive closer, "Theatrical." The disc comes in just shy of 60 minutes, every one of them a winner.
Track Listing
Hermento’s Mood; Song For Sarah; Euforila; Elegant Piece; Kaetano; Celina; Theatrical.
Personnel
Tomasz Stańko
trumpetMarcin Wasilewski
pianoSlawomir Kurkiewicz
bass, acousticMichal Miskiewicz
drumsAlbum information
Title: September Night | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: ECM Records