Torque Trio - Osmosis (2013) [Hi-Res]

After their debut FORWARD Torque Trio enthuse with their new album OSMOSIS. The interplay has become closer, the friendship more profound. One can clearly hear how the trio fathoms the optimal balance between openness, flexibility and stability. They are living the expression of their personal developments in spontaneous moments of tension. Torque Trio is not just another project, but an independent, original band. With their songs they are reflecting their experiences and developments throughout the last years. Presikhaaf e.g. deals with the homonymous neighbourhood in Arnheim where composer and pianist Koen Schalwijk lived for some time. Another song tells about the new chances A New Day brings. Almost all of the songs are written by Schalkwijk. By introducing a glass harp and a singing bowl Torque Trio brings new interesting musical aspects into their band concept.

'The flood of good relatively new piano trios has dried up over the spring and summer months in terms of current releases so the appearance of the Dutch/German Torque trio is very welcome indeed. Pianist Koen Schalkwijk who has written most of the compositions reminds me slightly of the Swedish pianist Martin Tingvall on opener ‘Stories to be Told’ and throughout, and there’s also the inescapable presence of Esbjörn Svensson in his playing and EST in the band's sound. The opening to ‘Desillusie’ is a wonderfully captured moment with Schalkwijk’s rich New Melodic chords beautifully relayed to bassist Mathias Polligkeit and drummer Antoine Duijkers. Osmosis won’t change the world, even with a glass harp and singing bowl appearing here courtesy of Duijkers to add that extra bit of reverberation. But it’s a highly assured accessible album full of pretty melodies framed by a very European jazz sensibility from a trio whose progress I’m looking forward to following in the years to come.' (Stephen Graham, marlbank)

Koen Schalkwijk, piano
Mathias Polligkeit, upright bass
Antoine Duijkers, drums

Recorded on March 1, 2013
Mixed and mastered by Philipp Heck at Bauer Studios, Ludwigsburg
Produced by Eva Bauer-Oppelland and Philipp Heck