Emil Brandqvist Trio: Layers of Life

It seems to be increasingly common for drummers and bassists to take eminence in piano trios. Swedish drummer Emil Brandqvist is the creative lead of the Emil Brandqvist Trio. His elegiac, cinematic and atmospheric compositions are showcased on Layers of Life. His constant partners over six albums are Finnish pianist, Tuomas Turunen and double bassist, Max Thornberg. Many tracks feature additional textures provided by the Sjöströmska String Quartet and Maija Kauhanen, playing kantele, voice and harmonium. Brandqvist occasionally adds his own textures using a Moog synthesizer. His brother, Martin Brandqvist, also joins on flute, clarinet and bass clarinet.

Since the release of their debut album, Breathe Out (Skip Records, 2013), the trio have been generating ever-greater popularity, winning awards in Germany and listing both in the top ten of the German jazz charts and the European iTunes charts. There are 13 tracks here, all Brandqvist compositions, with the exception of Solitude, which is co-written by Turunen. The album runs to 71 minutes, making this a double album for vinyl lovers.

All the musicians are skilled in restraint and understatement, keeping a distance until required. No one dominates, although Turunen naturally carries the majority of the melodic lead. Opening track, "Still Awake," is the ideal introduction to their meditative melodies, delicate piano over quiet rhythms that imperceptibly increase in pace as the strings join to add texture. The guest musicians being used to embellish the established melody around the middle of the track, is a template that is frequently employed throughout this album, it is most effective.

"Solitude" is one of the album's many highlights. Brandqvist is at his creative best on percussion as the keyboards build in atmosphere, depth and intensity. Many of the tracks, such as the title track, are in waltz-time. Here a piano theme builds before being augmented by voice. This is one of many tracks that suits visuals, whether on screen or in the mind. Another example is "Follow the Bee." The track has a neat melodic piano hook from Turunen, ably supported by Brandqvist's drums, the string quartet and Martin Brandqvist on bass clarinet and flute.

Elsewhere, "In This Moment," "Blue Hour" and "Lullaby In Green" feature just the trio members and Thornberg takes a rare turn in the spotlight with the bass break in "Everflowing." Beginning with a piano melody, "In Between" drives forward into an ensemble piece with swirling strings.

This atmospheric album draws inspiration from the classical and folk worlds. Some of the tracks have catchy pop hooks, making the melodies memorable and multi-layered. The guest musicians serve to broaden the texture and never take the focus away from the trio's work. Meditative, intricately layered and sometimes epic, this is an album of beautiful imagery.