Various Artists - The Magic & The Mystery of the Piano Trio: Ballads & Lullabies (2014) [Hi-Res]

For contemplative moments of the wintertime ahead of us, Ozella presents a compilation that combines quiet and pensive songs of some of the best Piano Jazz Trios of our time. Including Norwegian favourites Helge Lien Trio, Finland's top newcomer Kari Ikonen Trio, the Eivind Austad Trio with a beautifully dreamy David Bowie cover version, Stefan Aeby Trio (Switzerland) and Edgar Knecht the jazz saviour of German folk song.

Once winter and the ever longer Christmas time arrive it gets impossible to escape them. They are waiting for you in record stores, supermarkets and online shops: 'chill out' sampler, relaxed soft jazz records and the like. They are ready to provide relaxation to the stressed music lover. It's of course highly recommendable to slow down and take a step back but don't let it ruin your taste of music.

Being widely known for their exquisit selection of contemporary piano trios, German label Ozella have chosen 13 'ballads & lullabies' from their repertoire for the first part of their series 'The Magic & The Mystery'. These calming yet sophisticated tunes -3 of them are even unreleased so far- let you slip into relaxation mode in style.

Of course you will find on here the Norwegian Helge Lien Trio, masters of the Skandinavian poetic style, having just released their acclaimed third album 'Badgers and Other Beings' through Ozella. Their fellow countrymen, the Eivind Austad Trio look back on similiar roots but add an extra warmth to their music through Latin and Bebob elements. The Finish contribution to 'The Magic & The Mystery of the piano trio' comes from the Kari Ikonen Trio who caused a real stir in the jazz press with their Ozella released debut „Bright“ in 2013.

Another key to the distinctive Ozella sound is Edgar Knecht. The German explores traditional folk songs with his jazz trio and sets new benchmarks for the genre, whilst the Swiss based Stefan Aeby trio surprises with Electronica influenced yet acoustic songs.

It's this variety of international world class artists that makes 'The Magic & The Mystery of the piano trio' into an album you will find yourself putting on again and again. It comes without saying that the quality of sound served the highest standards – as with every Ozella recording.

Mastered by Hans‐Jörg Maucksch at Pauler Acoustics, Germany

Please note: this is a compilation album and consists of different sampling rate!

01. Eivind Austad Trio - Life On Mars (5:25)
02. Edgar Knecht - Schlaf (5:08)
03. Helge Lien - It Is What It Is, But It Is (7:29)
04. Stefan Aeby - Es schneit doch hüt (3:50)
05. Kari Ikonen - Septentrional (9:06)
06. Helge Lien - Mor (3:41)
07. Stefan Aeby - Mindarai (6:23)
08. Kari Ikonen - Pacific (6:10)
09. Helge Lien - Øy (4:53)
10. Edgar Knecht - Tiefe Wasser (5:19)
11. Helge Lien - Badger's Lullaby (7:08)
12. Kari Ikonen - Ehtoolla (2:12)
13. Helge Lien - Natsukashii (3:52)