Midweek pick, January 3rd, 2024: Nymo Trio's Circle Steps
Another sax, bass and drums trio gem from the year that was
Atle Nymo Trio: Circle Steps (Arc Recordings)
Atle Nymo: tenor sax, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet
Mats Eilertsen: double bass
Michaela Antalová: drums
As a member of the quintet I.P.A., multi-reedist Atle Nymo released Grimsta (Cuneiform) last year, one of the many great albums of 2023. At the start of December, he offered a slightly different side to his art with the trio recording Circle Steps.
While one may notice traces of Andrew Hill and Eric Dolphy in I.P.A.’s springy and twirling modern jazz, the music on this trio album at times seems to as float freely as an autumn leaf down a quiet stream. At times, the music is simply gorgeous, at other times, somewhat eerie.
Sometimes it is both, as on “Polar”, where Nymo’s bass clarinet tones sweeps over bassist Mats Eilertsen’s ominous ostinato and Michaela Antalová’s brushed drum strokes, before snaking into a lovely, hushed melody.
Interspersed are moments of more urgency and energy. Such as the sprightly title tune, which bounces along, at time almost stumbling before regaining foothold with speed, on an Ornette-like theme.
One of the several albums that, had I made the above-linked 50 faves on any other day it certainly would have deserved a place.