Rising Sun
Motema, 2023
8/10
The debut from the Mongolian jazz pianist, composer and arranger Shuteen Erdenebaatar, the 8 tracks here welcome Nils Kugelmann, Valentin Renner and Anton Mangold to the modern and powerful climate.
The soft and dreamy “In A Time Warp” opens the listen with Erdenebaatar’s flowing keys amid Mangold’s soulful soprano sax that helps cultivate much intimacy, and “Ups And Downs” follows with a busier approach of textured and firm jazz ideas thanks to Renner’s agile drumming and the more forceful piano playing.
“Olden Days” occupies the middle spot, and is an intimate moment of much reflective beauty, while “An Answers From A Distant Hill” places Mangold on flute for the expressive and colorful album highlight.
“Saudad” and “I’m Glad I Got To Know You” exit the listen, where the former focuses on Kugelmann’s precise bass playing before emotive keys enter, and the latter finishes with warm melodies that benefit from Mangold’s alto sax and the meticulous piano prowess.
Erdenebaatar is already a star in her home country, and this impressive debut will certainly bring her many new fans across the globe thanks to very precise and memorable songwriting.
Travels well with: Donald Vega- As I Travel; Brad Turner Quintet- The Magnificent