What’s the story?

Prepared are a trio of jazz musicians from Munich, with pianist Chris Gall, bass clarinettist Flo Riedl and drummer Christoph Holzhauser. Gall plays Argentinian tango with Quadro Nuevo, Riedl plays what is described as ‘folklore-free folk music’ with Dreiviertelblut and Holzhauser is part of German hip hop ensemble Moop Mama.

As Prepared they take short musical motifs and build them into more substantial pieces, in the manner that minimalists such as Steve Reich might work but with several leanings towards jazz, especially in their syncopated rhythms.

What’s the music like?

Engrossing and a lot of fun. Gall’s piano is subtly modified in performance, and the wide range of colours he can secure from the instrument are made through hammering, tapping and plucking, bringing out its more percussive elements. Riedl’s bass clarinet is versatile, too, adding a really pleasing rasp to the texture, whether in bass part or melodic content. It often provides the essential syncopations that keep the music in the air. Holzhauser, meanwhile, is a virtuoso who plays with an improvisatory air but can switch between swinging disco beats and more complicated rhythmic exchanges.

When things cut loose and get into the groove on Modul Vier IV the trio resemble fellow dance enthusiasts Brandt Brauer Frick, but are more obviously jazz-bound in their thinking on Modul Eins II, which enjoys a persuasive sequence of crossrhythms, cutting effectively to the dampened piano. Modul Vier II is made of an attractive, rippling piano figure from Holzhauser, while the invigorating syncopations of Modul Zwei II are prompted by the clarinet.

Does it all work?

Pretty much – the trio have a very clear musical chemistry, and the fluid working out of their ideas is compelling to listen to. The colour combinations made by their instruments are ideal.

Is it recommended?

It certainly is. There is a good deal of enjoyment to be had from a trio who like to push the rhythmic envelope, bringing elements of jazz and disco into close correlation and having a lot of fun as they do so.

For fans of… Brandt Brauer Frick, Christian Prommer, Bugge Wesseltoft, Henrik Schwarz

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Published post no.2,415 – Sunday 18 January 2025