Niklas Lukassen: ‘Still Waters’

The new album from bassist Niklas Lukassen brings together music, influences and collaborators from across Europe and, indeed, ‘Still Waters’ has separate release dates in the UK and Germany.

What Still Waters delivers is pure jazz, with original compositions and improvisation where the interplay between the musicians appears effortless.

What surprises me is that I have never encountered Lukassen before - I’m glad that he found me and sent across the album for review.

For Still Waters, Lukassen takes his existing sidemen Ben Van Gelder (alto sax),  Kit Downes (piano) and Francesco Ciniglio (drums) and adds in a touch of Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar), Wanja Slavin (alto sax, soprano sax), Céline Rudolph (voice) and Geoffroy De Masure (trombone).

Rosenwinkel contributes more than guitar, as the album is being released on his own Heartcore Records. He says: “Niklas Lukassen’s debut album Still Waters is a strong offering. I am proud to be a part of this clear vision and glistening sound. It’s a pleasure to hear some of the new generation of great musicians playing their best. Give it a listen and you’re sure to fall into these still waters that run deep.”

European jazz consistently produces high quality music and the economic difficulties imposed by the Brexit decision of 2016 doesn’t seem to have halted the cross-fertilisation. Lukassen brings his German heritage and infuses it with any number of influences, including from the London scene of which he is a part-time inhabitant.

Still Waters flows more than the title would promise. This is no ‘smooth’ jazz album, with tracks like Palisade, where its opening bass line establishes a darkness that deepens as the wider ensemble joins in. Rosenwinkel’s guitar flits along around the horn melodies before De Masure’s trombone solo comes to the fore.

Downes’s piano opens Karma ​before the two saxes weave their magic and Lukassen’s bass solo takes over. The delightful Luna is another wonderful track, including the bassist’s rich vocals and a gentle track that is reminiscent of Sting’s finest work.

Lukassen says: “This year I began with some added enthusiasm in my creative practice given the imminent record release of my personal record and collaborations with cherished friends.”

‘Still Waters’ is released on 20 February 2026 and please check out live dates to see where you can buy the album direct