Leaning In (Digipack)

If you were to imagine what the debut album by a young, conservatory-educated jazz player in the 21st Century might sound like, perhaps you would think of music that is flashy, cerebral or try-hard.

You might picture someone trying to be clever, cramming in as much information as possible. But Leaning In, Linus Eppinger’s first recorded statement as a bandleader, is nothing like that at all: the music on offer here is warm and soulful, full of joy and humour, unpretentious but deep and thoughtful [...]

—Sam Braysher, taken from the inside liner notes

Tracklist

Album details

Press reviews

"Linus Eppinger is a young American-born, German-raised guitarist currently living in Amsterdam.  He has worked with a number of fine musicians, notably saxophonist and label-mate Sam Braysher, who wrote the sleeve notes for this release. And like Braysher before him, he travels in good company, securing the services of drummer Jorge Rossy for this debut.

Rossy obviously impresses throughout, ever subtle and never pushy, keeping the rhythm tidy and neat, but it is the leader to whom one listens most closely. Relaxed and confident enough never to play an unwanted note, he sails through each song with effortless superiority. He worries away at Deedy Dede like a dog with a tasty bone, and then shows off his measured delivery on the oh-so-slow You’ll Never Know, where he chimes in perfectly with the rest of the band. Each note is clean and clear, perfect in its momentary setting.

The best probably comes last, as he walks through the concluding blues, Sitting On Top Of The World, with melancholic grandeur. Other than the three standards, the rest of the pieces are by the leader, and all stand strong, King Samuel II sounding like an old-time favourite already, while the Latin-tinged Quiet-Lee gets the swinging best out of the band.

Pianist Nicolai Daneck is a less familiar name to most of us but his contributions to, notably, Deedy Dede and I Wish You Love stand out for their intelligence. And bassist Doug Weiss reminds us yet again why he is so revered, his big, echoing bass tone and impeccable sense of swing invaluable throughout. For a debut set, this is a classy and timeless outing. Linus Eppinger should be mighty proud of himself."

—Simon Adams (October 8, 2022)
https://jazzjournal.co.uk
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"Plato's “What is the purpose of music, if not the love of beauty?” The word is often quoted. True, as he stated in his book “The State”, “The place where music will take people is the love of beauty.” The beauties we know and are familiar with can continue to amaze us every time. I don't think anyone has any objections to this. Being compatible is the most important element of this admiration. We like more easily what is compatible and familiar. Beauty is also hidden in this simplicity. One of the albums where beauty and simplicity feed each other very well is embodied in Linus Eppinger's album Leaning In.

If I were a conservatory-educated young jazz musician, I would probably want a debut album in my comfort zone, in the direction I was educated, while avoiding taking risks on my first album. Amsterdam-based jazz guitarist Linus Eppinger joins forces with the pioneers of modern jazz, Jorge Rossy, Doug Weiss and rising-star pianist Nicolai Daneck, in his debut recording. Leaning In was released on June 5 via Fresh Sound New Talent Records.

Eppinger composed 5 of the 8 tracks in the album, and the other 3 tracks are adaptations. The album was recorded on 14 and 15 June 2021 at Het Zonnehuis Amsterdam. Jordi Pujol is in the executive producer.

Leaning In is a good album. With the harmonic richness, coherence and elegance that will the real manning we can use the word beautiful. Away from excess and not taking unnecessary risks. Maybe with a few cliché expressions, it will be thoughtful, sensitive, sincere, or calmly to correspond to whatever adjective you have that will express positivity when you listen. From the first note to the last note, you travel in a certain safety. Reliable names with you on this journey keep you safe. Many people remember Rossy, one of Eppinger's biggest team mate on this album, from his work with Brad Mehldau, but let's not forget that he is one of the most valuable vibraphonist bandleaders alive. We last heard Rossy playing in Jacob Bro's Uma Elmo recording. When I took a look at my notebook what did i wrote about this album, I used the phrase “an album that is not in a hurry but has a great depth”. It would be even better if I add that there is a recording of him walking on more familiar paths and swinging harmoniously. Berlin based Doug Weiss, cut his teeth in the New York jazz scene, has worked with late Lee Konitz and names such as Chris Potter and Brian Blade. Nicolai Daneck is the little-known but major contributor to the album. When your companions are reliable, your tires hold firm ground.

Future generations will continue to enjoy guitar jazz music, while young guitarists like Eppinger gently wipes his guitar, who are looking for beauty and helped by the masters in the jazz guitar tradition. By the way, this project is supported by Sena Performers and the Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg. There are no mind-blowing ideas or jaw-dropping show-stopping performances on this album. There is no unnecessary wastage of notes. A friendly, generous and entertaining young guitarist who has the courage to walk on the path he believes in, has a first story that deserves appreciation and success in reaching institutions and people who will support him as a traveling companion."

—Burak Sülünbaz (July, 2022)
https://darkbluenotes.com
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"En la discográfica Fresh Sound Records hay de todo, claro, pero siempre se ha caracterizado por lanzar estrellas del jazz de la nada (Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Robert Glasper, Avishai Cohen...) y el guitarrista que escuchamos hoy promete convertirse en una estrella por sus chispeantes punteos y su forma de jugar con las frases y la melodía, buscando siempre la sorpresa, algo que últimamente solo encontrábamos en los clásicos, volviendo la vista atrás para disfrutar de cosas así, y tenía que ser oyendo a Pat Martino, a Kenny Burrell... hasta que hemos pinchado el disco de debut de Linus Eppinger, una mezcla de temas originales y standards que no decepcionará a nadie.

Lines Eppinger es un guitarrista nacido en Los Angeles que creció en Alemania y actualmente vive en Amsterdam, una de las capitales europeas de la música, especialmente por el interés de sus conservatorios, a donde "peregrinan" músicos de todos los países. Esta influencia europea se mezcla con la tradición de los grandes guitarristas americanos en la manera de tocar de Eppinger. Su estilo es elegante, relajado en el sentido de que no abusa de los tiempos vertiginosos, pero siempre juguetón, muy creativo y lleno de recursos, concepto que está muy alejado de lo que se esperaría de un músico de conservatorio. Porque Linus Eppinger es un músico de jazz en alma y en técnica. Entre sus profesores se encuentran Peter Bernstein y Julian Lage.

Si uno busca tradición renovada y con un sonido fluido y lleno de influencias, Leaning In es su disco. También hay que decir que el colchón rítmico que le acompaña es perfecto, limpio, con un groove seductor (como debe ser) que arrastra al oyente por todos los temas y convierte a la guitarra en protagonista. Bueno, a la guitarra y al piano, porque el joven pianista Nicolai Daneck, de quien no sabíamos nada hasta ahora, tiene unos solos fabulosos donde aúna melodía y ritmo con una sutileza fantástica. También suena sutil y cálido en los acompañamientos, como el resto de la sección rítmica, encabezada por el sólido sonido de Jorge Rossy, tan reconocido internacionalmente que resulta omnipresente (le hemos escuchado con Brad Meldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Wayne Shorter, Miguel Zenón...). Por último, el contrabajo está en manos del berlinés Doug Weiss, un músico que viene de Nueva York. Su solo en el primer tema ("Chippin' With Bill") explica muy bien por qué está en este álbum.

Este tema que abre el álbum lo hace de la forma clásica, presentando a toda la banda con sus respectivos solos, otro ejemplo más de cómo hacer bien un disco para que suene a clásico y complazca a todos los aficionados. Como dice la nota de prensa, para los preocupados por saber a dónde se dirige el jazz actual, con Linus Eppinger, el futuro está en buenas manos."

—Felix Amador (Junio 1, 2022)
https://jazzeseruido.blogspot.com