Markus Reuter - 2025 - Truce 3

(55:19; Iapetus)






















I long ago stopped trying to work out how many bands I know which include Markus Reuter (Touch Guitars AU8, Live Looping), but when I am sent an album which involves him in some way I know it is always going to be a delight. Add to that the incredible drummer Asaf Sirkis (who is a current member of Soft Machine, among many others) and the highly talented bassist Fabio Trentini (here providing Wal Fretless Bass and Bass Synth) and it is going to be exciting. This is the third album from the trio and given the amount of work undertaken by Reuter it is interesting to hear him say the following, ““This band makes me play differently, and I think this is our most successful album so far. It’s a display of what people are capable of when they meet with respect and an open heart. Emotional, technical, groovy, melodic, storytelling—but always with a light touch. This time we managed to say a lot in 10 highly structured improvisations. The music is accessible but always with interesting rhythms, great melodies, and, yes, some serious shredding.”

It feels quite different to most other albums involving Reuter, as Trentini is often the foundation, repeating melodies and grooves which allows both Sirkis and Reuter to go off at tangents. It indeed feels highly structured, so much so that one must wonder just how much of this was composed beforehand and then used as a basis, as while there are many off the edge moments it somehow is more mainstream than many improvisational works I come across. Recorded live in two days towards the end of last year, the three musicians know each other very well indeed from this and other projects, and the more this trio continues the tighter and more cohesive they become, with music which is exciting, vibrant, challenging and dynamic, all at once. There is funk, there is groove, there is metal, shredding, elements of King Crimson, John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth and so much more. The result is something which never seems to be created by just three people as the layering and arrangements are intense, with that Wal Fretless at the heart of it all. Yet another great album from a great band. 

Kev Rowland, August 2025

Links:
https://www.markusreuter.com/
https://www.facebook.com/iapetusstore

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