Back with a newly formed quintet, gathered together for a particularly fruitful 2024 session in Southern France, the German pianist Benjamin Lackner presents a different and exciting side of his composer-approach.

Trumpeter Mathias Eick is the sole returnee from Lackner’s debut Last Decade, and can be heard in striking dualism with Mark Turner’s idiosyncratic saxophone dialect, forming a key-characteristic of the interplay that permeates Spindrift.

The horn-duo and pianist are joined by the nonpareil bassist Linda May Han Oh and French drummer Matthieu Chazarenc, who was part of Lackner’s trio before the pianist’s tenure with ECM.

Subtle fanfares meet contemplative lyricism in a programme of originals that always puts melody and ensemble chemistry first. Saxophone and trumpet take the lead, forming their own little ensemble section, and contribute elegantly interwoven lines and striking solos to an especially harmonious group sound and a tuneful set of songs.

1. Spindrift
2. Mosquito Flats
3. More Mesa
4. Chambary
5. See You Again My Friend
6. Murnau
7. Fair Warning
8. Anacapa
9. Ahwahnee
10. Out Of The Fog

Produced by Manfred Eicher, this immaculately sculpted new recording opens on the warmly entertaining title track Spindrift and the pensively confident Mosquito Flats and they are followed by the yearnful More Mesa, the ornately sumptuous Chambary, and then the strident See You Again My Friend comes along.

Up next is the day-dreamy Murnau and that is then in turn backed seamlessly by the positively sanguine Fair Warning, the delicately hued Anacapa, the album rounding out on the atmospheric ambiance of Ahwahnee, closing on the languishingly refined Out Of The Fog.

The pianist is on tour with the new album throughout Europe in January 2025, with dates in Munich, Rome, London, Stockholm, Malmö, Oslo and more.

Featured Artists:
Benjamin Lackner - Piano
Mathias Eick - Trumpet
Mark Turner - Tenor Saxophone
Linda May Han Oh - Double Bass
Matthieu Chazarenc - Drums

Official Purchase Link

www.bennylackner.com