Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song

Nothing better after a hectic day than coming home and refreshing one's ears and spirit with music possessing opposite characteristics: gentle, sensitive, and respectful of good taste.

The protagonists of this release are four masters of their respective instruments; here's the intriguing line-up: Kenny Wheeler on trumpet and flugelhorn; Lee Konitz on alto sax; Dave Holland on double bass; and Bill Frisell on electric guitar. For those unfamiliar with them, a few essential words to introduce them:

Kenny Wheeler is undoubtedly one of the most lyrical trumpeters around and has led many groups of varying sizes and contexts. His elegant style perfectly matches his talent as a composer, well highlighted here.

Lee Konitz, the "Old Man" of the group, is simply among the most important saxophonists ever, and the best student of Lennie Tristano, the "creator" genius of Cool, in the late '40s. His musical vision has always left little space for dissonance and instrumental runs, focusing every creative effort on melody and timbre, among the purest ever.

Dave Holland, a master of bass and composer, was appreciated from a young age for his extraordinary technique and versatility, so much so that Miles Davis found him the only suitable replacement for Ron Carter in his group, a deity of the four strings. From that important test (forty years ago!), which he passed with flying colors, Dave has come a long way, maintaining a high profile, both as a luxurious sideman and by leading other musicians in his solo albums.

Lastly, Bill Frisell, an out-of-the-box guitarist-composer, one of the most original in sound and improvisational unpredictability, also a veteran of musical art and adaptable to any context.

Moving on to the music contained in this album, it is the portrait of intimacy, imbued with calm hues and possessing a graceful charm that manages to captivate with its simplicity. The nine compositions, all penned by the project leader, are characterized by sensual and refined melodic lines, supported by an enticing rhythmic verve and an emotional charge that lends intensity to the whole. Often, the themes are presented in unison by trumpet and saxophone, while guitar and bass outline the harmonic and rhythmic boundaries, and the pieces evolve into splendid solos by all participants, during which other instruments offer contrapuntal or choral accompaniment.

Particularly notable is the beautiful "Kind Folk", an evocative and enchanting track, with a bass line as simple as it is hypnotic, with a Barcarolle-like flow. Holland's solo is simply sublime! The subsequent "Unti" is moving, starting almost anonymously and then blossoming like a flower in its poignant melancholy, best represented by Lee Konitz's enraptured and inspired playing.

A perfect solo by Bill Frisell highlights "Present Past", and consistently high levels are maintained in the opening "Nicolette" and "Kind Of Gentle", the closing track.

In short, this '97 ECM record sees four mature and experienced musicians, each a leader, gather in a kind of "all-star summit" to deliver an earnest and relaxed performance.

Being an ECM release, the audio quality could only be among these three: "good," "excellent," "superb." In this case, it's superb!