A strong new release from the Eple Trio, who create blissfully serene soundscapes in the Nordic Jazz style. Universal Cycle is the kind of music for drifting away to, but the trio of pianist Andreas Ulvo, bassist Sigurd Hole and drummer Jonas Sjøvaag ramp up the voltage on the details and the nuance, so that tiny sounds carry far and wide. It’s not sleepy music, but it is made of the stuff of very active dreams from a very peaceful nap. It engages without challenging. It immerses without overwhelming. It is quite beautiful.
