Review published on September 24, 2023, on the Jazz Convention portal, with very positive feedback by Fabio Ciminiera.

In “Tears and Light”, Katya Fiorentino, Stefano Compagnone, and Maurizio De Tommasi present eight original compositions penned by the pianist. The album represents a musical synthesis of precision and expressiveness, drawing on diverse influences from the recent history of the piano trio—ranging from The Bad Plus or Ronin (the trio led by Nik Bärtsch), as Davide Ielmini notes in the liner notes, to the many iterations of this format seen in Nordic jazz over recent decades. This synthesis is further enlivened by a distinct affinity for melodic approaches found in rock music.

Yugen’s music is intense and vigorous—whether in lyrical pieces or high-energy passages—remaining consistently focused and solid, never frivolous or condescending. The tracks often follow circular structures, allowing the three musicians to revisit and explore the moods sparked by various musical phrases in a continuous interplay of shifting yet familiar timbral combinations and interpretive possibilities.

Davide Ielmini’s liner notes describe the music as possessing a “dynamic calm”—an apt definition for the soundscapes created by the Yugen trio. The group places clear, resolutely stated melodies at the heart of its musical narrative, using them to build a cohesive body of work. The stylistic elements within their repertoire retain a song-like, lyrical quality—evident in both the conception of themes and the shaping of improvisations—while seamlessly blending formal structure with expressive depth. With equal effectiveness, the three musicians leverage the contributions of their guest artists to expand the trio’s sonic vocabulary and possibilities in unique ways for each track.