Michiel Borstlap Trio

Listening to Borstlap is always exciting. Because he is able to strip over-familiar pieces like 'Round Midnight' and 'take the A Train' down to the bone and create something new out of them. His touch, chord playing, dynamics and tension are extremely tasteful. In the Michiel Borstlap Trio the emphasis is on clear lines and transparent sound combinations. Ernst Glerum's singing bass playing provides the melodious heart. His classical training shows itself in his outstanding playing method. As soon as he steps out of an accompanying ostinato for a solo, a storm starts brewing. He packs quite a punch with his knotty pizzicato. When he brings out his bow the thunderclouds start piling up. The super-drummer Han Bennink taps subtly on the cymbals and attacks the drums mercilessly. He is in command, alternating between the hi-hat and snare drum, with both sticks and brushes. He underlines the changes in the orchestration with a variety of fill-ins. This trio plays with a subtle sense of dynamics and sound colour. With melodious simplicity and clarity in both arrangements and solos. Extraordinarily fine music on a human scale.