Aila Trio: Shaped by Sea Waves

Norway-based Aila Trio's, Shaped by Sea Waves on Edgetone Records, offers an experience for jazz enthusiasts interested in the experimental side of the genre. While not groundbreaking, it presents a solid exploration and a genial journey.

Bassist Georgia Wartel Collins is the guiding force behind the album. Her intricate and melodic bass lines function as narrative threads, weaving and flowing through the sonic landscapes. These lines occasionally evoke a dreamlike state, creating a sense of mystery and exploration. Moreover, the "punk- ish" free jazz beats add a distinctive energy, which occasionally sounds jarring rather than playful.

One of the album's strengths is its balance between pre-composed material and free improvisation. The trio skillfully navigates between structured sections and moments of individual exploration, allowing each member to highlight their individuality.

"(E)motion" is an emotive solo arco bass piece, performed with creaky phrasings and a rough-hewn edge, steeped in angst and a state of bewilderment, and constructed with impassioned characteristics. "Whale Song" also stands out as a poignant homage to the sea's majestic inhabitants with Karl Hjalmar Nyberg's sweet-toned tenor sax and Collins' sinuous arco movements, topped off with a solemn edge as the trio intersects a loosely developed theme. These tracks, along with the introspective and evocative "Hovering Above," highlight the band's skill in crafting compositions which induce a range of sentiments, from the contemplative to the exhilarating. It is also a vehicle for drummer Andreas Winther to stretch out via his temperate soloing and cymbals—based tonal treatments.

Despite the facets that Shaped by Sea Waves has going for it, there are a few areas where it falls short. Certain tracks feel a bit repetitive and would benefit from a bit more variety of tempo and dynamics.

Note: this is a limited-edition LP-only release.

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