As It Was [4 CD]
John Taylor: piano; Palle Danielsson: double bass; Peter Erskine: drums <br><br>The newest addition to ECMs popular Old and New Masters Series is a box set reprising the four albums made by Peter Erskines American-British-Swedish trio with John Taylor and Palle Danielsson between 1992 and 1997: You Never Know, As It Is, Time Being and Juni. <br><br>If its core concept a piano trio led by a drummer was unorthodox, the group was nonetheless influential, and the recordings provide an excellent environment for appreciating the distinctive writing and playing of John Taylor. <br><br>The British pianist was the Erskine Trios primary composer, with the drummer-leader and bassist Danielsson also contributing pieces and the repertoire topped up with tunes by Vince Mendoza and Kenny Wheeler. <br><br>Of his trio mates Erskine says, We drew out our most explorative and interesting playing from each other. Without trying to be, we were a truly unique group. Ive heard nothing like it before or since.