Christian Pabst Trio + 7: Song of Opposites

German-born pianist Christian Pabst has been the leader of an award-winning trio since before the debut of their critically-acclaimed Days of Infinity (Challenge Records, 2010), however on Song of Opposites, the trio is augmented by seven additional instrumental voices adding a new chapter to this versatile artist's resume. Recorded in Amsterdam—where Pabst is currently based—the pianist presents an all-European cast of players offering an album of new modern classical jazz material that includes a three-piece string section on five tunes and also showcases the sounds of the sax, trumpet and trombone on a couple of tracks.

Incorporating the sounds of the violin, viola and cello, the album gets off to a classical beginning on the beautiful but haunting "Arrival," followed by a featured trio performance on "Elixir" highlighting solos from bassist David Andres, crisp cymbal accents from drummer Kaspars Kurdeko and strong key work from the leader. "Point Ephemere" is the high point and most atmospheric of the pieces on this recording showcasing the string section, the horn instruments and brief background vocals from Anna-Maria Nitschke.

The trio format continues on the light "Stufen" while on "Graba Luba," Pabst captures the horns for the last time on an upbeat burner and somewhat of a departure from the main texture of the recording. The group returns to that texture on the gorgeous balladic "Like the Waves" where the pianist glides across the keys in gentle style against backdrop support by his core trio and tender accompaniment from the strings for another classical bent on the music.

The modern jazz style is evident on the dynamic "Perpetuum" while "Augenblick"—though taking a bit long before emerging—returns the music to gentler landscape on another brief original. As if announcing the end of the music, the finale tune "departure" is the last of the string-supported classical-bent originals that at two and a half minutes in duration, is far too short to fully appreciate.

It's quite clear that Song of Opposites is not your standard jazz palette where one may find a portion of bop or progressive jazz in the mix, instead, the Christian Pabst Trio + 7 presents a selection of accessibly creative classically-tinged warm jazz with a discerning intellectual appeal.