Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Neuköllner Modelle: Zyklus 1

8

Neuköllner Modelle: Zyklus 1

By

Sign in to view read count
Neuköllner Modelle: Zyklus 1
The third release by the trio Neuköllner Modelle, saxophonist Bertrand Denzler, bassist Joel Grip, and drummer Sven-Åke Johansson, Zyklus 1 might be considered a zen chronicle. The four lengthy tracks reveal the true nature of improvised sound, group interaction, and thus, the essence of meditation. Like meditation, their music is very simple, yet extremely hard to execute.

The use of the classic saxophone/bass/drums configuration yields nothing like trios led by Albert Ayler, Sonny Rollins, or Charles Gayle. Even if you recognize Johansson (b. 1943) as a doyen of free jazz, the leadership of this trio here cannot be affixed solely to him. Listeners might consider him the Swedish Han Bennink, but it is more accurate to refer to Bennink as the Dutch Sven-Åke Johansson. No, this is a leaderless trio, and that might be where the zen comes in. There are no hints of grandstanding and no protracted solos.

What these four pieces contain are sustained collaborations—no better yet, corroborations. Grip, who released a mesmerizing solo recording Pickelhaube (Umlaut, 2012), also performs in more conventional jazz settings and with vocalists. His bowing technique here sounds at times very much like a second horn, and he can also maintain a pulse that often mimics the life force of the heart. Denzler, a giant in the world of free improvisation, in bands such as Hubbub and Trio Sowari, applies his own minimalist take on the sound of John Coltrane to match the meditative vibe of this partners. With Johansson pleased to exercise brushes on cymbals and skins, and make tattooed remarks, as a means to keep this music constantly buoyant; the music remains a faithful prayer.

Track Listing

Time; Timing; Out Of Time; Timeless.

Personnel

Bertrand Denzler: tenor saxophone; Joel Grip: double bass; Sven-Åke Johansson: drums.

Album information

Title: Zyklus 1 | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Umlaut Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of 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 create 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.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve 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

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

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