Available Light
Chronograph, 2024
8/10
The pianist Daniel Janke is joined by Basile Racola and Ariel Tessier for these 9 originals that surround Janke’s experience composing for film, and it welcomes roots, jazz and gospel ideas.
“Song For Margaret” opens the listen with Janke’s flowing keys alongside Tessier’s meticulous drumming that helps create a very rich climate, and the title track follows with a calmer mood, as mature piano is met with atmospheric drums.
Halfway through we are treated to a couple of traditionals, as “Blessed Assurance” presents much intimacy, where sophisticated keys and Racola’s gentle bass lines cultivate soft beauty, while “Man Of Constant Sorrow” swirls with dense piano, lively drums and playful bass for the album’s best.
Close to the end, “Cafe Bonton” radiates warmth and gracefulness via Janke’s mesmerizing fingers, and “Gospel For Betty” exits with more emphasis on drums, though the intricate bass plucking won’t go unnoticed, either.
The international collaboration (France, Spain and Canada) present adds even more intrigue to the trio, and both structured and improvised bouts make each track here eclectic and memorable.
Travels well with: Anthony D’Alessandro- Searchin’; The Brenan Brothers- Valley Of Silence