Rising Grace (2016)

"ECM, host to many European-American dialogues, has released a very classy example between Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel and the all-star US quartet of Brad Mehldau (p), Ambrose Akinmusire (t), Larry Grenadier (b) and Brian Blade (d). Muthspiel, on electric & acoustic guitars, wrote all the tracks except Mehldaus daintily swinging "Wolfgangs Waltz", and the music mingles echoes of Kenny Wheeler, the classical guitar sound of Ralph Towner and the songlike one of Pat Metheny, plus the quickwittedness of the mid-60s Miles Davis group. The title track is Wheeler-like in its transformations of a poignantly simple motif, and the graceful swerves of Akinmusires phrasing. "Triad Song" has a warm pop-ballad melody and sleek solos from Mehldau and Muthspiel; "Boogaloo" is a prodding laid-back Milesian groove peppered with Blades snare flurries; and the initially dreamy "Den Wheeler Den Kenny" moves in and out of understated swing. Oblique music that grows on you." (John Fordham, Guardian; 4 uit 5 sterren)