Space, Embrace the Space, Relative Pitch ***

UBL

Recorded in a Stockholm studio last year avant piano trio Space display a strikingly daring method. Pianist Lisa Ullén's style draws to mind Kris Davis' approach perhaps while double bassist Elsa Bergman and drummer Anna Lund are in lock step, like the extensions of the 88 keys on the piano. And you get the feeling of a continuum, each track not so much relentless as very expansive. 'Bleach' begun by bass is the longest at over 12 minutes. But all the tracks whether long or much briefer have a succinct focus. Quite the spell - all this music is ''totally improvised''. As Ullén/Bergman/Lund Trio they also issued Space last year on the same label. Space, photo: via YouTube

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Dan Pugach’s second album as a leader, animal rescue themed - the late ''Bianca'' was a pitbull and the album's tongue in cheek sub-title is ''Music for Paws and Persistence'' - no need at all to pause this latest from the Israel born US based drummer and composer who increases the size of his nonet on Plus One (2018) to big band proportions. Personnel include the Grammy winning singer Nicole Zuraitis, Pugach's wife, whose powerful vocals are fairly spectacular, on a fresh and positive collection of material - there's also a complicated but frequently head bobbing version of, however unlikely it may sound, Van Halen's 'Dreams'. Big band members include alto saxist and flautist Patrick Cornelius. Dan Pugach, photo: press

Space, Embrace the Space, Relative Pitch ***

Dan Pugach Big Band, Bianca, Outside In Music ****