Artist: Spaltklang
Label: Fazzul Music
Release: 2009
Rating: 4.4/5
We’ve finally made it! Three years have passed since the album Lontano, and now Markus Stauss and his crew have wrapped up their latest masterpiece, called En Suite. We can probably cut Markus some slack, since his hands are always full with his other projects too.
Before I’d even heard the album, I knew it would be brilliant, because Markus has never served us anything bad. The only question was whether the band would pick up where they left off with Lontano, or explore new musical territory.
En Suite may not really reveal a brand-new side of Spaltklang. It’s still superb jazz-rock, but as a whole the album is a bit more laid-back. There are fewer stormy moments than on their earlier releases. The band focuses more on its chamber qualities and its neoclassical and folk side. Those things were always there, but never to this degree. The end result is therefore gentler, yet it brings just as much listening pleasure as any other Spaltklang record.
Once again, I’m blown away by the band’s knack for coming up with such easygoing melodies. That’s even more incredible when you consider that people mostly file them under avant-garde acts. Stauss clearly has a great ear for catchy melodies, and he nails it here again.
It’s pretty obvious that Spaltklang are all brilliant musicians, but they never make a big show of their skills. Technical chops matter less than the overall impression, but that doesn’t mean they can’t play. Quite the opposite! When they get the chance to show off, their abilities become obvious. Not a single instrument dominates, yet every member gets a moment in the spotlight.
What else can I say? This is another outstanding achievement from the Swiss giants. The album is packed with all kinds of moods and impressions. I still don’t get why they aren’t more respected, especially when I think of their talent for writing intricate music that still has plenty of melodic elements. I’m even more frustrated because the band keeps delivering this kind of quality again and again. I hope Spaltklang finally get the recognition they deserve one day, but for now their biggest reward is probably knowing they’ve created yet another timeless masterpiece.
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Finally, the wait is over. It’s been three years since Lontano and now Markus Stauss and his bunch of merry men have at last finished their latest masterpiece, entitled En Suite. I suppose we can forgive Markus the long wait seeing as he’s so busy with his many other projects.
Even before I listened to the album I knew that it would be a triumph because I haven’t heard anything bad from Markus yet. There was only a question if the album would continue where Lontano left off, or it would explore new territories.
Admittedly, En Suite doesn’t really show a totally different side to Spaltklang. This is still amazing jazz-rock, but the album is much more subdued as a whole. There aren’t as many fierce moments as on earlier efforts. The band seems to concentrate a bit more on their chamber qualities and their neo classical and folk side, which has always been present, but not to this degree. So what we get is a much calmer album, which brings just as much listening pleasure as any other Spaltklang release.
Again, I am amazed by this band’s ability to come up with such memorable melodies, which is even more incredible if you consider that most people put them in the avant-garde camp. Stauss obviously has a good ear for a catchy tune and he certainly delivers on this front again.
It’s fairly obvious that Spaltklang features brilliant musicians, but their playing is never flashy. The overall sound and product is usually favoured over sheer technical prowess. However, this doesn’t mean that these guys can’t play. Quite the contrary! During the times they let loose, their ability on their instruments becomes clear. No instrument seems to dominate, but every player gets a chance to be in the limelight.
What more can I say? This is another triumphant achievement by this Swiss ensemble. It’s an album filled with so many different moods and impressions. It still defies belief that Spaltklang isn’t more respected worldwide, given their capabilities to produce intricate music, which still contains several melodic moments. It’s even more frustrating because the band produces such quality products time and time again. One day, Spaltklang will hopefully get the recognition they deserve, but for the time being I suppose their biggest reward will be the knowledge that they have produced yet another timeless masterpiece.
Line-up
Markus Stauss – saxophones
Stephan Brunner – electric bass
Oliver Vogt – violin
Rémy Sträuli – drums, keyboards
Production
Markus Stauss
Track list
1. Amuse-bouche
2. Von Anbeginn
3. Heartbeat
4. En Suite
5. Ideen
6. Evocazione
7. Open Directions
8. Molto Lento
