Johan Budi
The fourth quarter of 2025 has seen a significant influx of high-quality jazz recordings, ranging from the intricate Americana-infused sounds of the Danish quintet David Miilmann Group to the high-energy power trio dynamics of Canada’s Big Space and the seasoned, veteran chemistry of the Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, and Bill Stewart organ trio. These releases, appearing across various international labels and independent platforms, underscore a broader trend in the contemporary jazz industry: a synthesis of traditional mastery with experimental genre-blending. Each recording offers a distinct perspective on the evolution of the genre, whether through the lens of young European innovators or established American masters.
David Miilmann Group and the Evolution of Danish Americana-Jazz
The David Miilmann Group’s third studio album, You Belong, represents a pivotal moment for the Danish quintet. Released under the April Records imprint, the album demonstrates a sophisticated balance of production and performance that draws comparisons to both the indie-rock sensibilities of Wilco and the pristine, atmospheric production standards established by Manfred Eicher’s ECM Records. This sonic direction suggests a deliberate effort by Miilmann to bridge the gap between improvisational jazz and the textured, narrative-driven world of modern folk and rock.
Recorded between October 1 and October 3, 2025, in Copenhagen, the album centers on the interplay between David Miilmann and Buster Isitt. Miilmann’s primary focus on slide guitar introduces a specific "Americana" texture that is relatively rare in traditional European jazz circles. The record’s tracklist, including compositions like "The Day After" and "It’s Happening Again," showcases a range from country-rock to slick jazz-funk. A notable highlight is the group’s rendition of the Coltrane-popularized "My Favorite Things," which the quintet transforms from a gentle introduction into a high-energy climax.
The quintet’s lineup—featuring Sven Feldbæk Winther on piano and organ, Elias HP on bass, and Theiss Nemborg on drums—provides a dense but clear backdrop for Miilmann’s slide work. Winther’s "misterioso" style serves as a vital harmonic counterweight to the dual-guitar attack, ensuring that the album remains grounded in jazz theory even as it explores rock-adjacent territory. Analysts of the Danish jazz scene have noted that the David Miilmann Group is part of a rising cohort of Scandinavian artists who are increasingly comfortable blending regional folk influences with global jazz standards.
Big Space and the High-Energy Power Trio Format
In North America, the Canadian trio Big Space has released The Pendulum Effect, a follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2022 output. Comprised of guitarist Grant King, bassist Ian Murphy, and drummer Ashley Chalmers, the group operates as a "power trio," a format traditionally associated with rock but increasingly utilized in jazz to facilitate high-energy, raw improvisational exchanges.
The background of the trio members provides significant context for the album’s technical depth. Grant King is a graduate of both the Berklee College of Music and the Longy School of Music, and his years of private study with the legendary jazz educator Charlie Banacos are evident in his daredevil improvisational style. Bassist Ian Murphy brings an alternative and indie music background to the group, while drummer Ashley Chalmers, a jazz graduate of St. FX, provides the rhythmic complexity necessary for the trio’s more intricate compositions.
The Pendulum Effect is characterized by its "rhythmically intricate" structures, particularly on tracks such as "Check Upstairs" and "Pareidolia." The latter has been described as a "bacchanal" of sound, blending elements of stoner rock and grunge—specifically drawing comparisons to the 1990s bands Soundgarden and Kyuss—with the technical rigor of jazz fusion. Unlike the David Miilmann Group’s focus on clear, balanced songwriting, Big Space leans into "crafty noise" and high-intensity performances, prioritizing energy and sonic texture over traditional lyrical balladry. This approach reflects a growing segment of the jazz market that caters to listeners of experimental rock and heavy fusion.
The Goldings-Bernstein-Stewart Trio: Three Decades of Mastery
While the younger groups explore the fringes of jazz-rock and Americana, the veteran trio of Larry Goldings (organ), Peter Bernstein (guitar), and Bill Stewart (drums) continues to define the modern organ trio aesthetic with their 2025 release, Rhombus. Issued by Smoke Sessions Records, the album is a testament to the trio’s 30-year partnership, a rare longevity in the jazz world that allows for a level of telepathic musical communication that is difficult to replicate.
Larry Goldings, who has gained a secondary following on social media for his humorous insights into the jazz life and the advent of AI in composition, remains a serious scholar of the Hammond B3 organ. His work on Rhombus is a personal variation on the innovations of organ pioneer Larry Young. The title track and "Everything That Lives Laments" demonstrate the trio’s ability to maintain a "relaxed, swinging feeling" while navigating complex harmonic structures.
The album also balances technical complexity with emotional accessibility. The track "Penelope" is cited as a standout ballad, showcasing the trio’s ability to perform with intimacy and restraint. Recorded in New York City, Rhombus adheres to the high production standards of the Smoke Sessions label, which has become a primary hub for mainstream jazz excellence in the 21st century. The inclusion of standards like "In Walked Bud" alongside original compositions ensures that the album appeals to traditionalists while continuing to push the organ trio format forward.
Chronology of Production and Technical Specifications
The synchronization of these releases in late 2025 provides a snapshot of the global jazz recording industry’s current state.
- Early 2025: Big Space records The Pendulum Effect in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The independent nature of this release highlights the continued viability of self-produced jazz in the digital age.
- October 1–3, 2025: David Miilmann Group records You Belong in Copenhagen. The short three-day window suggests a "live-in-studio" approach, emphasizing the chemistry of the quintet.
- Mid-2025: The Goldings, Bernstein, and Stewart trio completes the recording of Rhombus in New York City, subsequently preparing it for a late-year release on Smoke Sessions.
Technically, the albums utilize a wide array of instrumentation. The David Miilmann Group incorporates non-traditional jazz instruments such as the sitar and various synthesizers, while Big Space relies on the classic trio setup to generate a "wall of sound" effect. The Goldings trio remains committed to the electric guitar and organ synergy, utilizing the unique acoustics of New York recording environments to capture their signature "warm" sound.
Industry Implications and Critical Analysis
The release of these three albums suggests several key trends in the jazz marketplace. First, the influence of prestigious educational institutions—such as Berklee and St. FX—continues to produce musicians who possess both high technical proficiency and a willingness to experiment with non-jazz genres. Grant King’s background is a prime example of how formal jazz education is being applied to more aggressive, rock-oriented soundscapes.
Second, the geographic diversity of these releases—spanning Denmark, Canada, and the United States—indicates that jazz remains a truly global language. While New York City remains a central hub for the genre’s traditional elite, as seen with the Goldings trio, centers like Copenhagen and St. John’s are fostering unique regional scenes that contribute significant innovations to the global stage.
Third, the role of independent and boutique labels is more critical than ever. April Records (Denmark) and Smoke Sessions (USA) provide the necessary infrastructure for artists to reach international audiences, while independent releases like Big Space’s The Pendulum Effect allow for total creative control, even if they lack the marketing reach of established labels.
Broader Impact on the 2025 Jazz Calendar
As the year 2025 draws to a close, these three recordings will likely be featured in "Best of Year" discussions within the jazz community. They represent three distinct pillars of the genre: the innovative fusion of the David Miilmann Group, the raw energy of Big Space, and the refined expertise of the Goldings-Bernstein-Stewart trio.
The David Miilmann Group’s You Belong (43:40) serves as a benchmark for young European ensembles looking to incorporate Americana. Big Space’s The Pendulum Effect (54:09) stands as a testament to the power of the independent trio. Finally, Goldings, Bernstein, and Stewart’s Rhombus (42:18) reinforces the enduring appeal of the organ trio when handled by masters of the craft. Together, these albums provide a comprehensive view of a genre that is simultaneously looking back at its rich history and forward toward a genre-fluid future.
