The latest sounds from Girls in Airports are even more introspective than ever

Powerfully emotive and sounding even dreamier and more reflective than ever Danish band Girls in Airports are back with How It Is Now (Kaja Records - 3 stars). They chart waters few know. Genreless given how their approach asks as many questions as …

Published: 25 Mar 2023. Updated: 13 months.

Powerfully emotive and sounding even dreamier and more reflective than ever Danish band Girls in Airports are back with How It Is Now (Kaja Records - 3 stars). They chart waters few know. Genreless given how their approach asks as many questions as it requires definitive answers - yet usually they are thought of as a jazz act - think terrain found somewhere between Mammal Hands or pre-electronica era early Portico Quartet circa Knee-Deep in the North Sea. The overall harmonic texture is driven by the keys with very strong percussion and drums support. Hypnotic live when their generous vamps and sense of groove can grip you most strongly the best track here is 'Ember'. Charismatic saxist-flautist Martin Stender writes the tunes with the band. 'Sachette' is moving and it all sounds so original and sealed in their own artistry. Girls in Airports, stock press shot

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Omer Klein, Life & Fire, Warner Music ****

Everything springs from the writing: Our favourite piano trio discovery in recent years - Personal Belongings two years ago switched on an electric light inside - the paradox of that metaphor does not escape us even if part of the magic here is the …

Published: 24 Mar 2023. Updated: 13 months.

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Everything springs from the writing: Our favourite piano trio discovery in recent years - Personal Belongings two years ago switched on an electric light inside - the paradox of that metaphor does not escape us even if part of the magic here is the doggedly acoustic sense the trio bring to their interplay.

Take the way the double bass is recorded on 'Song No 2' so soft, tactile and so very mobile that lifts its power to communicate. You would swear that it's possible to reach out and touch the strings given the clarity of the beat. Pianist Omer Klein is once again with bassist Haggai Cohen-Milo and drummer Amir Bresler. Tunes are by Klein and their strength is really why Life & Fire works so well. There's a Brubeckian sense to the hop of '3/4 Mantra', a folkloric skip to 'Tzuri' and springy jump to 'Cantando' that all proves so rewarding. 'Niggun' labours a bit too much (the only downside) but the ringing joy you get on the hugely melodic 'Spilt Milk' more than makes amends. 'Malchut' at the end is when Klein is at his loosest and reminds me here of Aaron Goldberg at his most joyful with the Yes trio.

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