EA1 EA2

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Brevity can be an aesthetic form in and of itself. When applied judiciously, it allows for an idea to be broached, developed, and explored before being abandoned just in the nick of time, leaving it to resonate long after in the listener. Such is the case on the brilliant second album by the Tied + Tickled Trio, EA1 EA2 (Payola). Trio indeed - this German band actually comprises six permanent members and six guest musicians. On the nine tracks covering a mere 33 minutes, a melody is proffered by piano, saxophone, or cello, upon which various combinations of the rest of the members of the band join in. And that's where the magic occurs, in the interface between the traditional acoustic acoutrements of jazz and the crunchy effects offered by electronic percussion and samples. The effects never overburden or overtake the melodies, but rather offer dark shading around the edges, allowing the intrinsic beauty of each track to emerge in full relief. In the odd instance, the electronics stand back entirely, like on "Yolanda", a perfect little tune that already sounds like a classic out of the great American jazz songbook. But the hallmark of EA1 EA2 is the players' instinctive feel for the melodies they craft in the fruitful confrontation between acoustic call and electronic response.