When we experience hope so actively that we trust in the future against all adversities it is called “Zuversicht” in German. Zuversicht is also the title of Nils Wülker’s fifteenth album release on which he worked with a trio of first-rate musicians who, collectively, worked across three and a half days of improvisational collaborative creativity. The result of this “collaborative creativity” is eleven original pieces of work that make up the album Zuversicht.
The album opens with All Hands on Deck and the first thing that strikes me is just how well this quartet blend as a unit. Nothing in this tune feels forced and even when the dynamics of the sound change around the midway point it does so in a controlled manner that is a joy to listen to. Time Will Tell is a beautifully haunting ballad with Nils Wülker feeling his way through the tune as if trying to work out how to convey his emotional connection to the theme of the piano playing of Aaron Parks. Alpenglow is another ballad on the album, however, this track comes across much more as an ensemble piece and, like the album’s opening number, emphasises the close knit interaction of the quartet who give each other the time and space to contribute to the overall sound.
On Second Nature Nils Wülker plays the flugelhorn with Linda May Han Oh on bass: this is their tune with Aaron Parks and Gregory Hutchinson very much in a supporting role. The interaction between horn and bass is delightful as is the melody played. Forces At Work has an understated funk vibe about it driven by Gregory Hutchinson’s drumming and the bass lines of Linda May Han Oh. It’s Okay is the shortest track on the album coming in in at a little over a minute and a half and has the feel of a musical interlude before the final track of the album takes over. It’s Alright, is a relaxing and spacious number that brings Zuversicht to a relaxed conclusion.
Zuversicht is a delightfully layered album that gives more to the listener on each play through. Everything about this collection of tunes comes across as heartfelt; there are no wasted notes or spaces and the tone of Nils Wülker’s playing is captivating to the ear. However, this is not just his album, band wise Zuversicht is very much a sum of its parts and as with all the best of players they played their parts with consummate ease.
Tracklist: 01 – All Hands on Deck; 02 – As Young as Your Faith; 03 – This Moment’s Rhythm; 04 – Alpenglow; 05 – FOMO Fighter; 06 – Time Will Tell; 07 – Second Nature; 08 – Forces at Work; 09 – Continuum; 10 – It’s Okay; 11 – It’s Alright.
Musicians: Nils Wülker (trumpet, flugelhorn), Aaron Parks (piano), Linda May Han Oh (bass), Gregory Hutchinson (drums).
All music composed by Nils Wülker
SimplyJazzTalk 