Expectation [CD+DVD]

As it concerns the musical result of EXPECTATION it is much more refined and fresh than it was expected to be .The whole band plays here professionally with absolutely no stress or pressure but very joyfully and freely focusing mainly on the expression of mucic ENJOYMENT.Janis siegel s expressive voice really shines and gives an added bonus to the album s exhilarating atmosphere .All the TOP CLASS musicians here were gathered to perform not only seriously and detailed to a very high degree of quality and refinement, but also to show their clear devotion to the real beauty of playing jazz music .EXCELLENT .

In trying to keep my Peter Erskine CD collection up-to-date I stumbled upon this album (which was not even mentioned on PE's own website discography!), recorded January 2007 under the leadership of bass player Darek Oles(kiewicz). Looking at the assembled group, an extended version of Alan Pasqua's/Peter Erskine's trio (through this album though Alan Pasqua plays Hammond B3 organ instead of piano!), this could not go wrong... and indeed, the results are very satisfying and matched my Expectation(s).

For this recording, Darek Oles made a list of his favorite standards, arranged them for this group of likeminds and then went into the studio. Apart from the great recording quality, what striked me most when listening to this album, was and still is the honesty with which this wonderful music is performed and which really shines through the music. There are no egos in the way, all involved are there to play for the music and to have fun at the same time. This is once again confirmed when watching the included 30 minutes video of the recording sessions, which greatly adds to the experience of enjoying this album and in which the various musicians also get a chance to give their view on the music and the interplay.

Then another word to the involvement of singer Janis Siegel (best known as member of the Manhattan Transfer) on a few cuts: for me the results are mixed. I don't like too much her take on "I Didn't Know What Time It Was", maybe also due to Darek's arrangement, but on the other hand I literally got lost in her voice when I heard her simply gorgeous treatment of "I Got Lost In His Arms", with beautiful sparse accompaniment by Darek on bass and Larry Koonse on guitar.

All in all, after a not so brilliant start of the album in my view with the first two tunes, the rest is excellent and makes this album definitely recommended.