Johan Budi
The global jazz landscape in the final quarter of 2025 has been characterized by a notable convergence of regional identities and cross-genre experimentation. Three distinct releases—You Belong by the Danish quintet David Miilmann Group, The Pendulum Effect by the Canadian power trio Big Space, and Rhombus by the veteran American organ trio of Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, and Bill Stewart—illustrate the diverse trajectories of the genre. From the Americana-infused textures of Northern Europe to the heavy-hitting fusion of the Canadian Atlantic and the refined traditions of the New York organ scene, these recordings reflect a broader trend of stylistic maturation and technical precision in contemporary improvised music.
David Miilmann Group and the Synthesis of Nordic Americana
The release of You Belong marks the third full-length studio effort from the David Miilmann Group, a quintet that has rapidly ascended within the Copenhagen jazz scene. Recorded between October 1 and October 3, 2025, in Copenhagen, the album represents a calculated departure from traditional European jazz aesthetics, opting instead for a sound that bridges the gap between American roots music and the pristine production values often associated with labels like ECM Records.
The production of You Belong is centered on a dual-guitar architecture featuring David Miilmann and Buster Isitt. Miilmann, who utilizes the slide guitar as his primary voice, has successfully integrated the soulful, sustain-heavy characteristics of Southern rock and blues into a modern jazz framework. This approach is most evident in the track "The Day After," which utilizes country-rock motifs to establish a narrative structure rarely seen in instrumental jazz.
Industry analysts have noted that Miilmann’s production philosophy for this record appears to be an intentional homage to the "ECM sound"—pioneered by Manfred Eicher—characterized by spatial clarity and a "crystal clear" sonic field, yet applied to the grit of indie-rock influences like Wilco. This synthesis is further supported by pianist Sven Feldbæk Winther, whose "misterioso" style provides a harmonic contrast to the twin-guitar lineup. The inclusion of unconventional instruments, such as the sitar on certain tracks, suggests an expansion of the group’s palette, moving beyond the "jazz-funk" leanings found in "It’s Happening Again."
The album, released under April Records (catalog number 166), arrives at a time when Danish jazz is seeing increased international distribution. The track "Gumbo Kings II" highlights the group’s ability to handle complex, "broken rhythm-driven" structures, while their interpretation of the Coltrane-associated "My Favorite Things" demonstrates a capacity for long-form thematic development, transitioning from a "valley stroll to a windy mountain climb."
Big Space and the Evolution of the Canadian Power Trio
In North America, the St. John’s-based trio Big Space has released The Pendulum Effect, an album that emphasizes high-energy improvisation and the intersection of jazz theory with heavy rock aesthetics. This independent release follows their 2022 critical success and solidifies the group’s reputation as a "power trio" that prioritizes sonic density and rhythmic intricacy.
The members of Big Space bring a high level of academic rigor to their seemingly visceral performances. Guitarist Grant King is a graduate of both the Berklee College of Music and the Longy School of Music, having also studied under the late jazz educator Charlie Banacos. This pedagogical background informs his "daredevil" approach to the instrument, which balances technical proficiency with the raw energy of alternative rock. Bassist Ian Murphy and drummer Ashley Chalmers (a graduate of the St. FX jazz program) provide a foundation that allows for significant improvisational freedom.
The Pendulum Effect is characterized by what critics describe as a "hearty meal" of sound, moving away from "lyrical rock balladry" toward more aggressive, rhythmically challenging compositions. Tracks such as "Check Upstairs" and "Pareidolia" are cited as the album’s focal points. The latter is described as a deliberate exercise in "crafty noise," featuring guitar flourishes that evoke the heavy, sludge-influenced sounds of bands like Soundgarden and Kyuss.
This stylistic choice reflects a broader movement within the Canadian jazz scene, particularly in the Atlantic provinces, where musicians are increasingly blending the improvisational language of jazz with the "indie and alternative" backgrounds of the performers. The album’s independent status highlights the ongoing trend of high-caliber jazz musicians bypassing traditional label structures to maintain creative control over their output and distribution.
The Goldings Bernstein Stewart Trio: Thirty Years of Organ Jazz Excellence
While younger groups explore the fringes of the genre, the trio of Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, and Bill Stewart continues to refine the traditional organ trio format with their 2025 release, Rhombus. Issued by Smoke Sessions Records (catalog number 2603), the album is a testament to the group’s three-decade partnership, a longevity that is increasingly rare in the contemporary jazz market.
Larry Goldings, often noted for his satirical presence on social media—specifically his Instagram commentaries on the role of Artificial Intelligence in music composition—remains a formidable composer and performer. Behind the humor lies a deep commitment to the evolution of the Hammond B3 organ. His work on Rhombus is viewed as a personal variation on the innovations of organ pioneer Larry Young, blending traditional swing with modern harmonic sensibilities.
The album’s strength lies in its "relaxed, swinging feeling," a direct result of the long-term telepathy between Goldings, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and drummer Bill Stewart. The title track and "Everything That Lives Laments" serve as primary examples of the trio’s ability to maintain "looseness without throwing coherence overboard." Furthermore, the record balances these complex compositions with intimate ballads, such as "Penelope," which highlights the trio’s subtle, conversational interplay.
Recorded in New York City, Rhombus adheres to the high production standards of Smoke Sessions Records, a label known for capturing the "live" energy of seasoned jazz veterans. The inclusion of standards like "They Say It’s Wonderful" and "In Walked Bud" alongside original compositions ensures that the album appeals to both traditionalists and those looking for contemporary updates to the organ trio idiom.
Chronology and Recording Context
The timeline of these releases suggests a highly productive window for global jazz in 2025:
- October 1–3, 2025: David Miilmann Group records You Belong in Copenhagen. The sessions are marked by a focus on "superbly balanced" audio engineering, aiming for a high-fidelity output that supports the intricate slide guitar work.
- Mid-2025: Big Space completes the recording of The Pendulum Effect in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The independent production focuses on capturing the raw energy of their live performances.
- Late 2025: Goldings, Bernstein, and Stewart record Rhombus in New York City. The sessions benefit from the trio’s 30-plus years of shared history, requiring minimal takes to achieve a cohesive sound.
Technical Data and Discography Summary
The following data summarizes the technical specifications of the three releases:
| Feature | David Miilmann Group: You Belong | Big Space: The Pendulum Effect | Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart: Rhombus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Label | April Records 166 | Independent | Smoke Sessions 2603 |
| Location | Copenhagen, Denmark | St. John’s, Canada | New York City, USA |
| Runtime | 43:40 | 54:09 | 42:18 |
| Primary Genre | Americana Jazz / Jazz-Funk | Power Trio / Jazz-Rock | Organ Trio / Post-Bop |
| Key Tracks | "The Day After," "Gumbo Kings II" | "Check Upstairs," "Pareidolia" | "Rhombus," "Penelope" |
Broader Impact and Industry Implications
The simultaneous emergence of these three albums provides a snapshot of the health of the jazz industry in 2025. Several key implications can be drawn from these releases:
- Genre Fluidity: The success of the David Miilmann Group and Big Space suggests that the boundaries between jazz, rock, and Americana are becoming increasingly porous. Younger audiences and critics alike are showing a preference for "fusion" that is not limited to the 1970s definition of the term but includes indie-rock and alternative influences.
- The Value of Longevity: The Goldings, Bernstein, and Stewart trio demonstrates that in a market often obsessed with the "new," there is a significant premium placed on the "relaxed, swinging feeling" that only decades of collaboration can produce. This serves as a stabilizing force in the jazz economy.
- Regional Diversity: The fact that significant jazz contributions are originating from Copenhagen and St. John’s—rather than just traditional hubs like New York or London—indicates a continued decentralization of the jazz world. Local scenes are now producing world-class recordings with high production values and distinct regional identities.
- Technological Engagement: Larry Goldings’ engagement with AI as a comedic subject, contrasted with his deeply human performance on Rhombus, highlights the tension between technology and tradition. As AI becomes a tool for composition, the "looseness" and "coherence" of human interaction, as seen in these three albums, remain the primary selling points for the genre.
In conclusion, the releases of You Belong, The Pendulum Effect, and Rhombus represent a multifaceted view of jazz in 2025. Each group, through its unique geographical and stylistic lens, contributes to a global dialogue that values both the preservation of tradition and the necessity of innovation. Whether through the slide guitar explorations of David Miilmann, the heavy-hitting complexity of Big Space, or the masterful organ work of Larry Goldings, the genre continues to demonstrate its resilience and capacity for growth.
