Michael Wollny trio Weltentraum Live – Philharmonie Berlin ACT ***

The brilliant Weltentraum released earlier this year introduced listeners to bassist Tim Lefebvre inside the Wollny trio, the German pianist’s invigorating blend of classical, rock and jazz continuing to be delivered via prodigious rocket science technique, and an improviser’s vivid imagination at the helm, but enhanced by the hyper-alert Lefebvre. Less elaborate but no less gripping and sumptuously recorded at the Berlin Philharmonie Weltentraum Live is yet another impressive achievement drummer Eric Schaefer’s heavily fractured free improv-informed ‘Phlegma Phighter’ rousing the Berlin crowd, snoozing definitely not an option at all with Wollny and co. I still prefer the studio album for the quirks, alas Wollny on harpsichord on the droning vocal-led track ‘God is a DJ’ paradoxically done live on the studio album doesn’t make it on to this set recorded in March this year. But for all that Weltentraum Live is a robust affair to say the least, wave after wave of risk-taking improvising, Wollny in the zone from the get-go. SG

Out now. Eric Schaefer, above left, Michael Wollny, and Tim Lefebvre. Photo: ACT

• Related Eurojazz piano trio pick