Christian Sands once said that the piano, bass and drums are the engine of any band. Anna Maurer must have been listening, as the high-octane sports car she’s assembled—the bandleader on keys, Thomas Malcher on bass and Martin Kleibi on drums—delivers some memorable music that will keep your head nodding, your feet tapping and your shoulders rising Whitney Houston-esque.
From the opening “Expectation” to the closing “Being Norbet,” the album moves from hard groove to hip-hop to atonal sounds, as on “Skrjabin,” a nod to Russian composer and pianist Alexander Skrjabin, who was known for his unusual harmonies. But the surprise here is “Smile,” featuring Austrian-born MC Yasmin Hafedh. The timbre of Visionariness doesn’t prepare listeners for the tune, but true to its title, Hafedh’s rapping in German and English inverts frowns.
Although the title tune pales in comparison to the rest of what’s here, the album still should catch the attention of any jazz fan, regardless of where they fall on the musical spectrum. The point that Maurer’s album makes is that she can compose some memorable tunes, put together a trio to execute her vision—and hit it.
Visionariness: Expectation; Skrjabin; After All; Smile; Virtual Real; Once In A While; Visionariness; Being Norbert. (53:48)
Personnel: Anna Maurer, keyboards; Thomas Milacher, electric bass, bass; Martin Kleibl, drums; Yasmin Hafedh (4), vocals; Simon Plötzeneder (4), trumpet; Christian Maurer (8), tenor saxophone.
Rating: 3.5/5
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