Mira

Recorded in December 2012 at Rainbow Studio in Oslo, Mira represents a significant evolution for Arild Andersen's trio. Following the high-energy acclaim of 'Live at Belleville', this studio effort sees the group retreating into a more reflective and atmospheric territory. The album is a quintessential example of the 'ECM Sound' - characterized by pristine engineering, generous use of natural-sounding reverb, and a focus on melodic clarity. Tommy Smith’s inclusion of the shakuhachi (a Japanese bamboo flute) on tracks like 'Kangiten' and 'Raijin' introduces an East-meets-West spiritual dimension that sets this album apart from standard European post-bop. Andersen’s bass remains the melodic anchor, often playing in a high register that rivals the saxophone for lyrical dominance. Critically, the album was praised for its 'inquiry and intelligence,' marking it as a sophisticated follow-up that proved the trio's versatility in shifting from 'collective heat' to 'darker intents.'