PETER ERSKINE • PALLE DANIELSSON • JOHN TAYLOR - You Never Know (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The material on this date falls comfortably within the realm of what the ECM label is famous for; meticulously recorded, lyrical chamber music (and the requisite lush reverb is ever present). In addition to leader Erskine, the playing and writing of English pianist, John Taylor, is featured. Taylor is an excellent technician with considerable harmonic agility; his approach is heavily influenced by Bill Evans via Keith Jarrett. Bassist Palle Danielsson completes a very sympathetic, highly interactive rhythm section. "Evans Above" and "Pure & Simple" are by Taylor, whose writing tends to conjour an English pastoral aesthetic and often has elements of so-called new age piano music, a left hand ostinato for example. To Taylor's credit, however, his compositions never get as predictable as most music in that genre. The same is true of writer Vince Mendoza, whose tunes are also featured on this recording. Taylor and the group are most fluid on the Cole Porter standard, "Everything I Love." Peter Erskine is one of the most versatile and accomplished drummers in modern music. Erskine's only contribution to the session as a writer, "On the Lake," is lovely in its sheer simplicity. by Lee Bloom  
Tracklist :
1    New Old Age    9:25
John Taylor
2    Clapperclowe    4:51
John Taylor
3    On The Lake    5:03
Peter Erskine
4    Amber Waves    5:42
Vince Mendoza
5    She Never Has A Window    7:18
Vince Mendoza
6    Evans Above    6:16
John Taylor
7    Pure & Simple    6:35
John Taylor
8    Heart Game    5:13
Vince Mendoza
9    Everything I Love    7:45
Cole Porter
Credits :
Double Bass – Palle Danielsson
Drums – Peter Erskine
Piano – John Taylor
Producer – Manfred Eicher

PETER ERSKINE • PALLE DANIELSSON • JOHN TAYLOR - Time Being (1994-2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although it is easy to stereotype Peter Erskine as a fusion drummer due to his notable work with Weather Report, in reality he is a very flexible percussionist. On his trio session for ECM, Erskine is mostly content to back his sidemen (pianist John Taylor and bassist Palle Danielsson). This CD is actually most interesting for the playing of Taylor who contributes three of the originals and plays in a style not that far from Keith Jarrett. In general the music starts out pretty quiet but builds its intensity and holds one's interest. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Terraces 7'08
Palle Danielsson / Peter Erskine / John Taylor
2     For the Time Being 5'13
Peter Erskine
3     If Only I Had Known 6'05
Peter Erskine
4     Evansong 8'06
Peter Erskine / John Taylor
5     Page 172 6'02
John Taylor
6     Liten Visa Till Karin 4'57
Staffan Linton
7     Bulgaria 4'48
Peter Erskine
8     Ambleside 6'36
John Taylor
9     Phrase One 5'19
Kenny Wheeler
10     Palle's Headache 5'26
Palle Danielsson
11     Pieds-En-L'Air 4'36
Peter Warlock
Credits :
Double Bass – Palle Danielsson
Drums – Peter Erskine
Piano – John Taylor
Producer – Manfred Eicher

STAVROS LANTSIAS - Diary of Dreams (2011) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :

1     An Other Life (Mia Alli Zoi) (Dedicated to Ennio Morricone) 8'24
Stavros Lantsias
2     Midnight Walk (Nihterinos Peripatos) 5'48
Stavros Lantsias
3     Restless (Anisihia) 3'54
Stavros Lantsias
4     Alone 5'12
Stavros Lantsias
5     Intro to the River of Time by Lars Danielsson 0'49
Stavros Lantsias
6     The River of Time (To Potami Tou Hronou) 4'11
Stavros Lantsias
7     Unknown Land (Agnosti Hora) 3'37
Stavros Lantsias
8     Dance with the Wind (Horos Me Ton Anemo) 4'41
Stavros Lantsias
9     In This Boat (Mes' Aftin Ti Varka) 3'24
Manos Hadjidakis
10     Topkapi 4'03
Manos Hadjidakis
11     Growing Apart 5'03
Stavros Lantsias
12     Intro to Beyond by Peter Erskine 1'24
Stavros Lantsias
13     Beyond (Pera) 7'28
Stavros Lantsias
14     Walking (Dedicated to Peter Erskine) 4'27
Stavros Lantsias
Credits :
Bass – Lars Danielsson
Cello – Renato Ripo (pistas: 1,6,8)
Drums – Peter Erskine
Lyre – Yiorgos Kaloudis (pistas: 7)
Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet, Alto Flute, Flute – Chris Bleth (pistas: 1,2,3,6,7)
Orchestra – Athens Camerata (pistas: 1,2,3,6,7,8, 13)
Piano – Stavros Lantsias
Soprano Saxophone – Dimitris Houndis (pistas: 8,13)
Violin – Sergiu Nastasa (pistas: 7)

ULF WAKENIUS - Notes from the Heart : Music of Keith Jarrett (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In spite of the success of pianist Keith Jarrett over his long career, his compositions generally have not been explored very frequently by other jazz musicians. Guitarist Ulf Wakenius, recognized for his work as a leader and being a member of the Oscar Peterson Quartet, explores 14 of Jarrett's works, playing acoustic guitar and occasionally overdubbing a rhythm line. He's accompanied by Lars Danielsson (who plays bass, cello, and piano) and drummer Morten Lund. The relaxing ballad "Memories of Tomorrow" is a gentle bossa nova that translates very well into a guitar-driven vehicle. "The Windup" is a playful calypso with a touch of funkiness, while Danielsson's spacious piano provides the perfect complement to Wakenius in the duo performance of the bittersweet ballad "Mon Coeur Est Rouge." Lund's drumming is consistently attentive and never overdone. For jazz fans who have never embraced Keith Jarrett's music, this brilliant tribute to his compositions may open their ears to appreciate his lyrical, often striking style of writing. by Ken Dryden

Tracklist:

1 Memories Of Tomorrow 5:36

2 Dancing 5:14

3 Innocence 4:33

4 The Windup 4:19

5 My Song 4:14

6 Mon Coeur Est Rouge 3:43

7 Everything That Lives Laments 4:59

8 The Cure 4:58

9 So Tender 7:42

10 U-Dance 5:10

11 Prayer 4:05

Credits:

Acoustic Guitar [Acoustic Guitars], Liner Notes – Ulf Wakenius

Composed By – Keith Jarrett

Double Bass, Cello, Piano – Lars Danielsson 

Drums – Morten Lund