Lontano

'Lontano' is the third ECM album by Tomasz Stanko's popular all-Polish group and follows from where 2001's 'Soul of Things' and 2004's 'Suspended Night' left off.

'Lontano' shifts the recording locale to the South of France and it opens up the group's concept to admit both freer playing and a new look at pieces of historical importance in Stanko's development, while also emphasising the achingly soulful balladry that has increasingly become a hallmark of Stanko's music...

The emphasis is all dialogue and interaction. The extended pieces "Lontano I”, "Lontano II” and "Lontano III” in particular indicate how much the quartet has grown in the five years since 'Soul of Things', as they create new music in the moment, together: all four musicians in accord, at a high level.

"Stanko has developed a unique sound and personal music that is instantly recognizable and unmistakably his own... A world-class player, a stylist, a charismatic performer and original composer, his music now assuming simplicity of form and mellowness that comes with years of work, exploration and experience. Tomasz Stanko - a true master and leader of European jazz.”
- From the Juries citation at 2002's European Jazz Prize, Vienna.