It’s hard to resist these gorgeously austere “Old and New Masters” sets from ECM. The latest music hoard from Munich collects the four recordings made for Manfred Eicher between 1992 and 1997 by drummer Peter Erskine’s trio with the late John Taylor on piano and Palle Danielsson on bass.
The three first came together as the rhythm section in Kenny Wheeler’s touring ensemble, and the kinship with the legendary trumpeter’s music is clear throughout, particularly in Taylor’s bright, cut-glass compositions.
What is most noticeable, hearing these recordings together, is the sound of the leader – who had proved himself with Weather Report and John Abercrombie – reaching for a different kind of groove, turning from a good drummer into a great musician.
