PAPATAMUS REDUX

LEO RECORDS 939 (RECORDED MARCH 2022)

Having recorded two CDs of the music of Charles Mingus, the trio of Nikolaus Neuser on trumpet, Silke Eberhard on alto and Christian Marien on drums strikes out on their own with In Other Words. This time, he trio, known as I Am Three, uses the opportunity to showcase 11 of their own compositions. Like Mingus’ music, the tunes are multi-rhythmic, multi-melodic and full of twists and turns, providing the musicians with an opportunity to demonstrate their ensemble and solo playing. However, while Mingus’ tunes were imbued with his roots in gospel, bebop, Ellingtonia and early jazz, I Am Three’s approach is firmly planted in the free jazz of Ornette Coleman. At times, Neuser and Eberhard conjure up the spirit ofvColeman and Cherry, while Marien confidently drives and punctuates their playing. Despite the lack of a bassist, the spirit of Mingus is ever-present in the sense of adventure I Am Three birngs to every tune. Looking forward to more original music from this inspired trio.

BOTTOM LINE:  Like the month in which it was recorded (March), In Other Words comes on like a lion with the opening blast of “Uberscprungshadlung” and goes out like a lamb with the lyrical “Poem for Valentin.” And like weather, this release promises an everchanging atmosphere of free-flowing jazz.