Melodie und Rhythmus captures the interplay of a fine and charismatic quartet of German and American jazz improvisers. Pianist Georg Graewe is joined by reeds player Frank Gratkowski from Koln, Germany, and Chicago jazzmen, percussionist Hamid Drake and bassist Kent Kessler, for a recording date that reveals a strong likemindedness and communication between the musicians. The opening piece begins quiet and sparse, with staggered steps of high piano chords and ambient shadings provided by the others. As Nodality develops, the space gradually fills in with increased activity. The immediate contrast of a dark piano punctuation starts the next piece, Imaginary Portrait I, which turns into quick streams of nightclub piano jazz fragments and runs. It's a testament to this group's skill that the fast-paced activity seems effortless, coming off with elegance. The album continues with the hot afternoon bustle of Passing Scopes, which includes a solo by Gratkowski; the dark and stormy bombardment and impressive whirlwind that is Trajectory; Fringe Factor, with a slowly building clarinet monologue that runs through the center of the quartet's playing, ultimately giving way to a beautiful solo from Graewe; the more abstracted, single-note rounds of Multiversum; and, finally, the more traditional feel of the excellent Memory of Wings II. The superb playing of drummer Hamid Drake, as well as the strong presence of Kessler's bass throughout this session need mentioning, as does the evocative and tightknit sound of this quartet. ~ Joslyn Layne, Rovi

1		Nodality
2		Imaginary Portrait I
3		Passing Scopes
4		Trajectory
5		Fringe Factor
6		Multiversum
7		Memory of Wings II

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