Aki Takase / Christian Weber / Michael Griener - Auge (Intakt Records 2021)

"I really love the piano trio,” says Aki Takase, with a passion that mirrors her playing. “But not the old idea, where the pianist is king, and the bassist and the drummer are just sidemen. We are equal.” Indeed, all three musicians are in focus in the trio AUGE: bassist Christian Weber and drummer Michael Griener are among the most original virtuosos of their instruments. On Intakt they have presented brilliant albums with the New York saxophonist Ellery Eskelyn.

Christian Weber recorded albums with Co Streiff and Oliver Lake. Michael Griener is a member of the band Die Enttäuschung and Monks Casino with Alexander von Schlippenbach. Over the course of nearly four decades pianist Aki Takase has provided fresh impetus with different musicians such as reedists David Murray and Rudi Mahall or fellow pianist (and husband) Alexander von Schlippenbach.

The Berlin-based Chicago journalist Peter Margasak writes about the recording: “The music on the debut album from the collective trio AUGE is wide-open, operating from an unobstructed vista where every thing seems possible ... Free improvisation rarely sounds so cogent, rippling with an adroit command of rhythm and harmony that erases the line between design and spontaneity.”

1. Last Winter 02:58

2. Drops of Light 04:47

3. Are Eyes Open? 01:33

4. No Tears 04:13

5. The Pillow Book 06:30

6. Face of the Bass 06:28

7. Calcagno 02:50

8. Out of Sight 02:37

9. While in Rome 02:27

10. Motion in the Ocean 02:49

11. And if not, why Not 02:58

12. Underfelt 02:08

13. Who’s Going to Bell the Cat? 04:27

14. The End Justifies the Means 02:12

Aki Takase: Piano

Christian Weber: Bass

Michael Griener: Drums

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Alexander Schlippenbach / Aki Takase - Live at Café Amores (NO BUSINESS RECORDS 2018)

Alexander von Schlippenbach turned 80 this year. A pioneer and leading light of European free improvisation, at the age of 28 he founded the Globe Unity Orchestra, and in 1988 he founded the Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. These two fiercely improvising big bands have over the years included, among others, Willem Breuker, Paul Lovens, Misha Mengelberg, Evan Parker, Kenny Wheeler and Schlippenbach's wife Aki Takase. 

Aki Takase – 10 years younger – is a highly successful pianist in her own right and has worked with Lester Bowie, Sheila Jordan, David Liebman, and John Zorn, most recently delivering a fine duo album with David Murray called Cherry-Sakura. 

In many ways this album of piano duets, recorded live in Japan, typifies the best of the European improv scene. It has long, thoughtful intricate tracks, loud dissonant passages, periods of pure noise – but it can be witty and playful as well. And it never strays too far from the tradition for long. Tunes from Mingus, Monk, Frank Zappa, and a delightful version of Lulu's Back in Town all have their place. 

However, you need to be aware that the vinyl LP is rather different to the CD and download. The opening and closing tracks of the CD, between them running for around 30 minutes, form one side of the vinyl, and might be classed as “conventional” improv. Some splendid percussive playing on the first, and use of prepared piano to create a more minimalist noise-based sound on the last. Side B of the vinyl has two more long tracks: the first is a set of tunes mixed up from Mingus by Takase, and the second has another improvisation based on a composition by Schlippenbach. 

The CD then has some excellent additional tracks not available on vinyl. These are a mixture of other people's compositions. Anyone familiar with Schlippenbach's work won't be surprised to learn that there are three splendid versions of Theolonious Monk tunes. Schlippenbach has often found inspiration from Monk since his early days and returns to his music on a regular basis, including a ”complete works” recording back in 2004. Here we have versions of Mysterioso and Evidence joined in one track, and Skippy on another. 

There are also two shorter tracks – Zappa's You Are What You Is, and Harry Warren's Lulu's Back in Town. Whilst the longer improvisations have some exhilarating passages, I find the shorter tracks work better on CD. 

What's remarkable in the midst of all this inventiveness is just how easy it is to forget the ages of the two performers. The music is full of bounce and vigour, and sounds fresh and young throughout. Long may they continue. 

Peter Slavid 

Alexander Schlippenbach - piano

Aki Takase - piano

1. Jackhammer 13:01

2. Na na na ist das der Weg 11:35

3. You are what you is 3:23

4. Mingus-mix: Dukes Choice - Boogie Stop Shuffle 14:26

5. Misterioso - Evidence 12:33

6. Skippy 5:55

7. Lulu’s Back to Town 3:06

8. The Morlocks 12:50

Recorded live on the 16th August, 1995 at Café Amores, Hofu, Yamaguchi, Japan by Takeo Suetomi / Concert produced by Takeo Suetomi

All compositions by Alexander von Schlippenbach (GEMA), except otherwise indicated

Mastered by Arūnas Zujus at MAMAstudios

Cover photo by Inge Ofenstein

Inside photos by Akihiro Matsumoto

Design by Oskaras Anosovas

Aki Takase · David Murray - Cherry · Sakura (INTAKT RECORDS February 18, 2017)