The Norwegian trumpeter Mathias Eick is part of the ECM label’s new post-millennium generation of Euro-jazzers, originally making his name with Jaga Jazzist as well as contributing to the recordings of label artists Jacob Young, Iro Haarla and Manu Katche for the label. He’s now released four ECM albums, looking to set himself apart from influential compatriots such as Nils Petter Molvaer and Arve Henrikson. His new quintet raised the bar on previous CD Ravensburg in 2018 but the new one When we Leave with the same line up, aside from the addition of Stian Carstensen on pedal steel guitar, goes even further. Eick’s dreamy, feather-light tone sets the quietly reflective yet feel-good factor throughout. It’s the focal point of a set of instantly memorable themes largely influenced by acoustic singer-songwriter rock-pop, but coming also with a flavour of perhaps Andalusian/North African as well as Nordic folk and country music, the latter benefitting considerably here from the slyly understated approach of Carstensen’s ambient pedal steel. Another important contributor is violinist Hakon Aase, who besides creating an eerie blend with Eick’s trumpet, proves an elegantly creative soloist, his haunting use of looping overtones proving a stand out element. Eick’s silky smooth lyricism on ‘Turning’, suggests a pop-folk ballad that could have been written by Sting, whereas on the wispily percussive ‘Flying’, the trumpeter steps into more impressionistic Miles’ In a Silent Way territory. The high-quality exquisitely balance production and mix are perfectly in tune with the ensemble aesthetics. It’s undoubtedly one of Mathias Eick’s most likeable recordings so far.