For those not in the know, a powerful drummer from Germany who has been part of the New York creative music scene for the past quarter-century, Christian Finger is also a skilled composer whose originals often draws upon deep emotions.

He describes his new album as being “about the time (ZEIT) that feels wide open when dealing with one’s inner realm (ZIRKEL). The music is rooted in the resilience and space of the human spirit specifically in the face of death and loss.”

For this set of 13 explorations, Finger is joined by four brilliant musicians, each of whom add their creative skills and individual voices to the unpredictable and often-haunting music. Ralph Alessi has been an innovative trumpeter ever since joining altoist Steve Coleman’s Five Elements in the mid-1990s.

Ben Monder first emerged as a distinctive and versatile guitarist in the early 90s and worked amongst others with David Bowie. Pianist Vadim Neselovskyi (recorded and toured with Gary Burton) and bassist Adam Armstrong (played with Maria Schneider and Kenny Kirkland) first recorded with Finger back in 2006 and are long-time associates.

While exploring human suffering, Finger’s pieces turn dark feelings into hope about the days ahead and finding inner peace.

1. Alta Anima [08:03]
2. Hope And Hope [03:55]
3. Fifteen PM [06:21]
4. Dawn Dream [07:12]
5. Stimmung M [05:29]
6. Frei Geist [04:38]
7. Wellen Klang [05:49]
8. Five Secrets I [05:44]
9. Gentle Garden [03:20]
10. Zeit Zirkel [05:21]
11. Time Flows For You [02:47]
12. Five Secrets II [03:33]
13. Time Flows For Us [01:05]

With the album being one of the finest showcases yet for Christian Finger’s highly individual writing and drumming, he opens his new recording on the stoically emotive Alta Anima and the jaunty fun of Hope And Hope and then we are blessed with the resplendent Fifteen PM, the sheer elegant gossamer of Dawn Dream, the playful Stimmung M and then comes the furtively sculpted Frei Geist.

Along next are two bass-led beauties in the form of Wellen Klang and an aching yearn that drives Five Secrets I and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the somber constraints of Gentle Garden, the studiously crafted title cut Zeit Zirkel and the rhythmic Time Flows For You, the set rounding out on the melodious jam Five Secrets II and coming to a close on the regimented fare of Time Flows For Us.

Musicians / Instrument:
Ralph Alessi-trumpet
Ben Monder-guitar
Vadim Neselovskyi-piano
Adam Armstrong-bass
Christian Finger-drums/composition

Official Website

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