The New York Second: ‘Cafe Madrid’

It’s always a pleasure when artists send me their music directly, and that was certainly true when pianist Harald Walkate, from The New York Second sent me the ensemble’s new album - ‘Cafe Madrid’.

Early in 2025, I reviewed the ensemble’s last album - Room for Other People and Cafe Madrid opens up the octet from that album into a spacious, pared-down quartet. Harald’s piano is joined once more by Rob Waring (vibraphone), Lorenzo Buffa (double bass) and Max Sergeant (drums). Removing the top line allows these four to really shine and the vibes/piano combination is particularly effective.

Cafe Madrid, this sixth album from The New York Second again takes Harald’s compositions across fine European jazz. The title track particularly sounds both Spanish and American with a hint of the ambience of a cafe somewhere in Europe. When the vibes/piano sound eases off to allow Buffa’s bass to solo, there is ease and comfort in abundance.

Throughout the album, Harald’s personality shines through, even as he allows Waring’s vibraphone to rise to the start. The Lost Christmas has an air of that holiday and cold, snowy nights, with the bell-like vibes floating above the piano melody. But it is on Now It’s Just You and Me that hear the piano/vibes pairing at its best. Clearly composed specifically for this recording session, it has an endearing quality that allows both musicians space to explore their interactions.

Closing Cafe Madrid with Grow Your Own Quiet Fortune brings back the frenetic and energetic quartet with some gorgeous slapping bass strings and intricate drum rhythms that balance the melodic improvisations of vibes and piano.

Harald invites us to hunker down and enjoy this “melancholy yet uplifting” collection of tunes: “This music is to be savored late at night, with a glass of whisky and a good set of headphones.”

Cafe Madrid is out on TNY2 Records on 7 February 2026