Power stands out as a gem of a live trio recording. Fritz Pauer, alongside Joe Zawinul, is the most important Austrian jazz pianist of the last half century. Besides fronting his own exceptional groups, Pauer accompanied a host of European and American jazz giants throughout his career, including Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Sheila Jordan, and Albert Mangelsdorff. American bassist Jimmy Woode is best known as the bassist on some of Duke Ellington’s classic recordings including the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. After his move to Europe in 1960 he was one of the most sought-after bassists on the scene. The highly regarded Austrian drummer Eric Bachträgl completes the trio. All but one piece are originals. My Little Girl is a rollicking up-tempo delight, while the trio adds a taste of the bittersweet to the classic Burt Bacharach piece Alfie before moving into a warm relaxed groove. Backslider’s Hambone dances to its own frenetic rhythms, and with its Tyneresque chords and impressionistic bass solo, the lilting ¾ Dark Bird has more in common with Trane than Parker. The short, freely improvised Sounds precedes Domicile 72, a piece that joyously celebrates the legendary Munich club in which this recording took place. Pauer’s varicolored unaccompanied solo on Who’ll Buy My Dream is followed by More Sounds, an extended freeform exploration utilizing electronics, voice and percussion that ranges from the Avant-garde to Africa. Power by Pauer: a vibrant portrayal of jazz in all its splendid diversity.
