Søren Bebe Trio: Here Now

Here Now, pianist Soren Bebe's seventh outing with his long time bassist Kasper Tagel and new-to-the-fold drummer Knut Finsrud, is one of those recordings one wants to keep in the travel bag or glove compartment when the day, like a runaway train, starts to pull away.

Calling upon the sage wisdom of classicists like the late Esbjorn Svensson and Bebe's Scandinavian contemporary, Tord Gustavsen, the pianist fashions a sorely needed, encompassing whole quilt. A hushed and lushly melodic resting place for the heart, the mind, the labored soul.

Within the setting of a small village in Denmark where Bebe and his family, surrounded by woods, lakes and farmland, make good their stewardship, Here Now's calming effect takes hold immediately with the opening namesake track. Spacious and introspective, the music settles in. The blood pressure drops. Breathing slows and normalizes as Tagel and Bebe create simultaneously "Tangeri." Tranquil is "Grateful."

It may sound crazy to say that Bebe's touch is distinctly warm and human (what else but human could it be?) but there is a decidedly holistic approach to his playing. Conscious of all around him, his time and place as well as that of others, quietly reassuring and affirming music akin to "Winter" and "Misha" come into being. Like children at play, "Folksy" skips in the fields. Tagel pops and sways. Finsrud frolics alongside. "Summer" is full of the blues but that's okay. It is a beautiful day after all.

The question of is it jazz or is it new age or is it ambient may always follow Bebe and the many generous offerings his fellow artisans have gifted the world. Let us just put that question in the moot category as long as the music is good. Here Now is real good.