Austrian jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel presents his fourth album as a bandleader on ECM, "Angular Blues," returning to the trio format. Following two acclaimed quintet releases and his 2014 trio debut, "Driftwood," Muthspiel has reunited with his longtime collaborator Brian Blade on drums. This time, however, Scott Colley takes over bass duties from Larry Grenadier, and his particularly earthy tone lends the trio a unique dynamic.
On the album, Muthspiel alternates between acoustic and electric guitar and, in addition to his characteristically melodic original compositions—including highlights such as the rustic "Hüttengriffe" and the reflective "Camino"—also presents standards from his time on ECM ("Everything I Love" and "I'll Remember April") as well as his very first bebop-influenced track, "Ride." Also noteworthy is the solo piece "Solo Canon in 5/4," in which Muthspiel's electronic delay lends the baroque passages a hypnotic shimmer.
Recorded in Tokyo in August 2018 and produced by Manfred Eicher, the album was released in March 2020 and showcases the deep musical connection between the three artists, who, according to Muthspiel, share a common "love of song"—a term that aptly describes their interplay.