Kārlis Auziņš Double Trio: Equilibrium Suite

Latvian saxophonist Kārlis Auziņš would never, we can assume, claim that his Equilibrium Suite stands as the equal of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme (Impulse!, 1964). His reverence for Coltrane's seminal work is too deep. Still, listeners may find themselves drawing a natural connection—celebrating Auziņš's own modern spiritual statement, one forged with sincerity, originality and purpose. Auziņš may be most familiar to jazz audiences through his work with the exploratory quartet Mount Meander, which released two albums: Mount Meander (Clean Feed, 2016) and Live in Berlin (Gotta Let It Out, 2019). In addition to his solo work, he leads a range of ensembles, from duos and trios to a full quartet augmented by strings.

Equilibrium Suite was composed for Auziņš's double trio configuration, featuring two bassists—Germany's David Helm and Latvian Edvīns Ozols—and two drummers, Norwegian Simon Olderskog Albertsen and Latvian Kaspars Kurdeko. This unique instrumentation, which doubles the rhythm section, subtly recalls the expanded formats Coltrane favored in his later years, where multiple voices often shared instrumental roles to create a broader spiritual and sonic palette.

The suite unfolds as a flowing meditation. "Introduction" opens with bowed and tapped bass, whispering cymbals, and Auziņš's tenor saxophone delivering hushed, prayer-like tones that lead seamlessly into "Perspective." This opening movement invites contemplation and sets the tone for what follows: a journey inward.

After a short, atmospheric drum interlude, the suite enters its emotional core with "Pursuit," "Observance," and "Celebration"— movements that ebb and surge with purpose. Throughout, Auziņš's tenor and soprano saxophones rise and fall like incantations, buoyed by the deep resonance of dual basses and a dynamic, textural percussive force. The music is deliberate in its spiritual seeking, never rushed, and rich with nuance.

Rather than functioning as isolated tracks, each part of the suite flows into the next, maintaining a sense of cohesion and inner logic. There is a palpable sense of uplift throughout—a commitment to clarity, reflection, and transcendence. Auziņš has cycled through the spirits of Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, and Charles Lloyd. The later movements, "Introduction to Part V" and the hymn-like "I Want to Tell You," point toward resolution, while the brief closing "Epilogue" offers a chamber-like coda, gentle and introspective.

With Equilibrium Suite, Kārlis Auziņš has crafted a deeply felt, beautifully spiritual work. Expansive without excess, it stands as a quietly powerful achievement—a mini-masterpiece of contemplative jazz.