Back with a newly formed quintet, Benjamin Lackner presents a different and exciting side of his composer-approach. Trumpeter Mathias Eick is the sole returnee from Lackner's debut, Last Decade, and can be heard in striking dualism with Mark Turner's idiosyncratic saxophone dialect, forming a key characteristic of the interplay that permeates Spindrift. The horn duo and pianist are joined by bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Matthieu Chazarenc, who was part of Lackner's trio before his tenure with ECM. Subtle fanfares meet contemplative lyricism in a program of originals that always puts melody and ensemble chemistry first. Saxophone and trumpet take the lead, forming their own little ensemble section, and contribute elegantly interwoven lines and striking solos to an especially harmonious group sound and a tuneful set of songs.
