Search - Thomas Stronen :: Parish (Slip)

A solid recording

T. L. Throop | Austin, TX USA | 09/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My decision to purchase this disc was made primarily on the basis of its ECM pedigree. No disappointment there, as the quality of the sound is crisp, clear, and brimming with individual character. As in the best ECM recordings, silence is a major component in the pristine rendering of the music.



Thomas Stronen was unknown to me prior to this acqusition. He is a talent of note. As a drummer he excels at subtlety and understatement, always there when needed yet never calling undue attention to himself. He does a great job of staying out of the way, and who can blame him with such stellar sidemen as Bobo Stenson and Mats Eilertsen. Although I was not familiar with Fredrik Ljungkvist, he estabishes his proficiency on reeds early in the recording.



Several tracks are written solely by Stronen, however each member contributes on at least some of the compositions. Their approach is one devoid of egotistical meanderings. No one overstays his welcome. They seem to geniunely listen to each other, resulting in some very compelling music."Travel II" is the standout track, almost worth the cost of the disc in itself. It leaves no doubt that these boys can swing. The rest of the album is more moody and introspective yet concise and self-assured. There is little not to like and nothing to criticize.





While no new ground is broken here, it is nonetheless solid and worth a listen if you are at all an aficionado of that quintessential ECM sound."

This CD Is Too Good To Go Unlistened

mp3support@wi.rr.com | WI, United States | 04/19/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Only one review beside mine, that's sad. This is an incredible CD. I am a huge ECM fan. ECM is the first label I look to for new releases.



Thomas Stronen was not an artist I was familiar with but I took a chance on "Parish". I'm glad I followed my intuition. Stronen is a soft spoken drummer. His percussion compliments rather than dominates.



I did recognize Bobo Stenson who is one of my favorite European jazz piano players. There is no single unifying theme to this CD. Every cut is excellent although "Quartz" stood out as being extraordinarily beautiful.



On my CD there is three additional tracks (16 total) not listed on Amazon. They are "Unbenannter Titel 14", "Unbenannter Titel 15", and "Unbenannter Titel 16". They are superb cuts. I don't know why Amazon doesn't list them.



This is quiet moody European jazz with world class musicians. Buy this now before this CD goes out of print!"