Simply the super trio?

Pianist Iiro Rantala returns to the classic piano trio format after some solo and duo records, among others. Rantala, of course, is also familiar from Trio Töykeät, which toured 43 countries playing over 2000 gigs some years ago.

This new trio has already been called the Super Trio, and with stateside dweller Peter Erskine on drums, in addition to Swede Lars Danielsson on bass, the claim seems reasonable. Rantala has performed and recorded with Danielsson before, as has Danielsson with the legendary Weather Report drummer. The trio members are very much in accord with each other and the playing is brilliant.

With two contributions from Danielsson and one song by Erskine, the rest of the compositions are by Rantala. As stated in the liner notes, Rantala’s ambition is to create simple melodies, emphasising the groove of the trio.

The trio also plays “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix, the “Kyrie” from Bach’s Mass in B minor and Kenny Barron’s “Voyage”. The beginning of Rantala’s solo in Little Wing is simply astounding – no simplicity there!