Pianist Espen Berg has made alluring sounds in his pursuit of unencumbered jazz with his trio since 2014. Entropies may lean into a more free-flowing style at times, but there is great lyricality in the melodies emerging from the tunes (all originals except “Russians” by Sting). Bassist Bárður Reinert Poulsen and drummer Simon Albertsen join Berg to fill out the team. And at once, one can tell that there is superb communion and communication between them.
“Rue Saint-Michel” might not start the release, but it is an elegant, noteworthy tune. It fits the fluidity of Berg’s ideal style while still containing musical meat in the themes and motifs played throughout. Not a heavy song, the instruments glide about the sonic space. Flavia Huarachi on…