THE TITLE TRACK OF DANISH RAIN IS MARLBANK TRACK OF THE WEEK FOR 29 MAY-4 JUNE
Unadorned and delivered with a minimum of gimmickry hugely melodic this double bass and piano album on the title track is certainly a firm highlight of these modern-mainstream tracks. Together sparks fly. A duo that has already released through the same Danish label Synesthesia (2019) and Standards (2020) Danish bassist Thomas Fonnesbæk who lands in the Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen tradition was also impressive on 2022's The Touch while playing partner Maryland born pianist Justin Kauflin going back much further delivered one of 2015's very best albums on his own trio album, Dedication.
Danish Rain includes a fine version of Michel Legrand classic 'You Must Believe in Spring' where the rapport of both players delivers remarkably tender results. We are less keen on the treatment of John Lennon's 'Imagine' that does not prove as rewarding but nevertheless remains a largely enjoyable release where strong ideas developed in an intimate duo conversational understanding translate so well. Just released Danish Rain is on a par with their best work together Synesthesia particularly on that 2019 release for its serene cover of Oscar Peterson's 'Nigerian Marketplace.'
MORE LISTENING:
- Standards (2020)
- Synesthesia (2019)
Thomas Fonnesbæk and Justin Kauflin, photo: via InMusic
updated 29/05/23
Tags: reviews