Martin Wind, Peter Weniger, Jonas Burgwinkel: Gravity

There is a return to old-school fundamentals about the trio recording Gravity from bassist Martin Wind. The German-born, now New Jersey native reconnects with tenor saxophonist Peter Weniger whom he met in the German National Youth Orchestra more than three decades ago. The old friends invited fellow countryman and drummer Jonas Burgwinkel (of Pablo Held Trio) to join, and deliver some 'alte schule' sounds. Wind, the bassist of choice for musicians such as Matt Wilson, Dena DeRose, and Bill Mays penned three tracks for this studio recording. The trio also performs Johnny Mandel's "Inga's Waltz" and the Gershwin classic "Someone To Watch Over Me" from the 1926 Broadway production Oh, Kay. Weniger contributes another five tracks, and arranges a version of Beethoven's "Pathetique." If covering Ludwig von is not old school, then nothing is.

The opener "Still Friends," a contrafact of John Klenner's "Just Friends" (performed by everyone from Charlie Parker to Tony Bennett) bounces with a figure-hugging alliance between players. Wind maintains a firm hand here and throughout the recording. His introduction to "Inga's Waltz" comes off as a sympathetic blues leading into gossamer-like nostalgia flowing from Weniger's saxophone. The highbrow funk (not an oxymoron) of "Another Beer, Please!" carries its grooviness close to the chest, as does the slow burn of "Good Night, Princess." Here, the trio draws out a tortoise-like blues which dims the lights and sets off the smoke machines of one's imagination. The session yields a collection of sensual sounds, performed in a nonchalant manner by these three friends. They finish with "Someone To Watch Over Me," taken at a slow romantic pace not unlike that of Coleman Hawkins's version from 1945. Is that old school enough?