Bassist
Dieter Ilg is well-featured on two different trio dates. Five songs have
Benoît Delbecq on keyboards and drummer
Steve Arguelles, while
Ilg and
Arguelles are joined on the remaining six numbers by guitarist
Wolfgang Muthspiel. The songs are all traditional European folk melodies but are given very different treatments, from swinging sections to introspective ballads and quiet sound explorations. Although
Delbecq and
Muthspiel have their spots,
Ilg has the lion's share of the solo space and the emphasis is more on the atmospheric ensembles than individual solos. Although the musicianship is high, it is difficult to concentrate too closely on this often dreamy music without drifting off. Perhaps if there were a bit more fire, this would have been a stronger outing. As it is, it manages to be well-intentioned, quite musical, and somewhat forgettable. ~ Scott Yanow