Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Simon Lucaciu Trio: STRG​+​X

7

Simon Lucaciu Trio: STRG​+​X

By

View read count
Simon Lucaciu Trio: STRG​+​X
Simon Lucaciu's German-based trio's STRG + X is an enthralling odyssey through the realms of modern jazz. Moreover, it is a testament to the trio's collective virtuosity, offering a dissimilar yet cohesive musical landscape which captivates the senses. They challenge the norm with a distinct and compelling approach to conventional or free-form piano trio. Otherwise, the cryptic album title refers to a computer keyboard cut-and-paste sequence.

From the start, the album commands attention, with its opening track "umrisS" with Florian Muller's chopping bass lines and Lukas Hecker's brisk asymmetrical drumming. It is as though the artists are trying to work through a perplexing sequence of life's irregularity, as Lucaciu's consummate command of the piano takes center stage, leading the listener through a perky sonic voyage which oscillates between moments of introspection, bursts of vibrant energy, and shifting chord progressions.

Fractured voicings and pulsating basslines intertwine seamlessly with dynamic percussion, forming a rhythmic foundation which breathes life into each composition. Their interplay is not just about technical precision but also about a shared musical intuition which elevates each track.

The trio continuously crisscrosses unorthodox musical landscapes. Tracks such as "nEgotiation Two" and "Uninformed" highlight their versatility, effortlessly blending modern jazz elements with inventive melodies, off-centered rhythmic foundations, and hypnotic theme-building exercises played at various tempos. This fusion of influences creates a sonic tapestry which feels both familiar and refreshingly novel.

The intricate melodies and harmonies interweave seamlessly, inviting the listener to delve deeper into each musical layer. The group's improvisational skills shine brightly, offering moments of spontaneous re-organization which keep the listener engaged throughout the album.

This is not merely a collection of tracks but a cohesive narrative unfolding with each passing moment. The trio's ability to balance technical expertise and emotional depth is commendable, ensuring that the music resonates both on an intellectual and visceral level for a transcendent musical voyage.

Track Listing

umrisS; rioT; negotiation onE; abzUg; nEgotiation two; biRd of prophets; Uninformed; aNomalie; agGression; mor+phing; X elf.

Personnel

Album information

Title: STRG​+​X | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Ezz-thetics

Tags

Comments


PREVIOUS / NEXT




Support All About Jazz

Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Tramonto
John Taylor
Ki
Natsuki Tamura / Satoko Fujii
Duality Pt: 02
Dom Franks' Strayhorn
The Sound of Raspberry
Tatsuya Yoshida / Martín Escalante

Popular

Old Home/New Home
The Brian Martin Big Band
My Ideal
Sam Dillon
Ecliptic
Shifa شفاء - Rachel Musson, Pat Thomas, Mark Sanders
Lado B Brazilian Project 2
Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruíz

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.