Emil Brancqvist is also one of those drummers who, as a band leader, lays the foundations in the background and prepares the ground for his fellow musicians. But unlike many of his colleagues, Brancqvist is a quiet player, a melodic interpreter, a musician who turns the beat into a touch and the stuff into a sensitive instrument for music. With his trio, he has now presented Poems For Travelers, the formation's latest album.

Unlike on previous albums, on Poems For Travellers the trio limits itself to its own means of musical expression: pianist Tuomas A. Turunen, bassist Max Thornberg and drummer Brandqvist tackle their 13 new tracks without guest musicians.

The melodiousness of the tracks is noticeable from the very first listen. The pieces do not open with a typical jazz phrase, which then forms the end of the performance, interrupted by alternating solos. A Visit to Reality, The Mayfly, Shades of Leaaving, Endless Like The Sea - each track brings new melodies and a dynamic that, like a storyteller, sometimes becomes quiet and builds up tension, sometimes makes you sit up and take notice, sometimes gently caresses the ears, sometimes strongly stimulates the heartbeat. This is music that is consistently flanked and spiced with elements of jazz, but still appeals to many people.

Most of the tracks are relatively short and last between four and five minutes, suitable for radio. The accompanying text does not reveal whether the radio was actually in the back of the mind or whether it was simply the case that the stories of the individual pieces were told. But it's not that important.

Much more important is the performance, the density and transparency of which thoroughly justifies a 96 Hertz presentation. The instruments can be heard clearly and with fine nuances. Their positions on the stage are perfectly balanced and form a convincing equilibrium. At the same time, the mix is rather delicate, in keeping with the character of the music, with fine highs, warm, carrying bass and filling, yet not full-bodied mids.

Poems for Travelers is a well-balanced album in every respect for pleasant listening days. It will certainly bring Brandqvist and his trio further merits. (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Emil Brandqvist Trio