On May 16 2019 the German Touch guitarist and looping master Markus Reuter (Stick Men, The Crimson ProjeKct), the Italian bassist Fabio Trentini (Le Orme, Nina Hagen) and the Israeli drummer Asaf Sirkis recorded some music during a session at La Casa Murada Studio in Banyeres del Penedes in northern Spain. Those recordings ended up on Reuter's instrumental album Truce (2020, see review). Two years later the same musicians recorded again a live session. This time at the Ritmo & Blu Studio in Pozzolengo in Italy on July 3/4/5, 2021. What happened during that time was released on another instrumental album with the title Truce 2 (2022). Unfortunately I never got hold of the album. However Moonjune Records did send me Truce <3. This instrumental album is the result of what the trio recorded during a live session recorded live at Art Music Studio, Bassano Del Grappa, Veneto, Italy, December 11 & 12 2024. The album was released May 2025 and is housed in an album cover which draws your attention right from the start you see it. Because of the paintings which resemble the Dutch masters from the Golden Age. Painters like Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Jacob van Ruisdael and Frans Hals. Reuter tells that the album is about connection. It's about what happens when three musicians come together with no preconceptions, no pre-written material, just open ears and open hearts. He tells that the album feels like a defining statement. They built something here that is at once spontaneous and structured, emotionally direct yet filled with intricate detail. With this record, he feels they have reached a new level of cohesion, intensity, and depth. For him one of the most exciting aspects is how the album merges different dimensions of their playing. The melodic storytelling that's always been central to this project is still here, but so is outrageous shredding—a side of his playing that doesn't always find a home in other projects. He says if you're a fan of fluid, high-velocity lead work in the spirit of Allan Holdsworth, you'll find plenty of it here. On Truce <3 Reuter (Touch Guitars® AU8, Live Looping),Trentini (Wal Fretless Bass, Bass Synthesizer) and Sirkis (Acoustic Drums) continue where they left off on Truce 2. Not so strange if you know that from day one until now they always improvised together and bring out the best of each other. As far as I can tell this is probably their best musical effort together. For me there is more variety compared to their predecessors. Take for instance album opener Not Alone which has some excellent guitar parts. Also follow up We Have Your Back has some great bass parts. Also, the next piece It's Not In The Cards sounds great with its fine bass and drum parts which made me think about Bill Bruford which you can hear more often throughout the entire album. Or just listen to the fabulous fretless bass parts on Never Apart over which Markus plays a nice melodic solo. It just becomes clear that Fabio's hypnotic bass patterns, that provide an almost trance-like foundation, are all over the place on this album. As for Reuters guitar parts it is obvious that Robert Fripp (King Crimson) has been a big influence. But also, Holdsworth sometimes comes to the surface in Reuters guitar sound. I guess while playing so many times together and improvising on their instruments finally shows off on this new album. They are clearly demonstrating how closely the trio has long been attuned to one another, and the mutual respect that inspires the three musicians to achieve peak performance on their instruments They just know what they want from each other. This results in an album which is easier to digest for most lovers of progressive rock and related styles. However, there are still moments when they are freaking too much on their instruments which leads to more chaotic musical parts. Parts which you have to hear more often to hear what the musicians meant by playing this kind of music. When Truce came out I said that it was an album not for everyone. It is an album reserved for true connoisseurs, for all lovers of modern jazz-rock and unlimited experimental rock! People who enjoy Gong, Stick Men, The Crimson ProjeKct, King Crimson or Soft Machine should try to have a listen to Truce. I guess the same can be said about Truce <3. With the only differences that lovers of progressive rock might enjoy it more compared to the first Truce album! *** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
