Hülsmann is a visionary who can see (jazz) room to manoeuvre in disparate sources, and not just in a stray Kirghiz tune, for after ‘Biz Joluktuk’ comes the trio’s take on Radiohead’s ‘All I Need’. The opener, ‘From Afar’, is the one that will first catch the listener's attention, being sultry and languorous and leafy. It has gorgeous interplay between Hülsmann's mellifluous piano lines and those stout woody notes ground out by double bassist Marc Muellbauer. Meanwhile, drummer Heinrich Köbberling’s shimmering cymbal work is well forward in the mix. The second track, is intriguingly entitled ‘Thatpujai’. No, nothing Kirghiz here, it’s an anagram of the name of the late jazz pianist Jutta Hipp and, by way of tribute, the tune comprises phrases from her Hipp’s work. […] A fine record.
Paddy Kehoe, RTÉ Ten
Eine sehr konturierte, präzise, vieldeutige Musik. Zu schön, um nicht wahr zu sein.
Peter Rüedi, Die Weltwoche
The band consistently speak with one voice (she and bassist Marc Muellbauer often drop in and out of unison passages), and the coalescing conversation of ‘From Afar’ epitomises that in its brief piano motifs, answering double bass, and slowly gelling harmonies. Hülsmann’s meditative dynamism resonates through ‘Thatpujai’ (formed of solo phrases by the late German jazz pianist Jutta Hipp); drummer Heinrich Köbberling’s ‘You & You’ becomes almost Jarrett-like; the Kyrgyzstan folk tune ‘Biz Joluktuk’ is classically delicate; ‘JJ’ is relaxed and boppish, and Radiohead’s ‘All I Need’ suggests Hülsmann has listened to Brad Mehldau’s investigations of the same source. It’s a quietly classy and vivacious set.
John Fordham, The Guardian
Hülsmanns erste Komposition ‘Fom Afar’ sendet sogleich ein melancholisches Fragezeichen aus, untermalt in wunderschönen Klangfarben von Bass und Schlagzeug. Ihre Hommage an die Pianistin Jutta Hipp schließt sich da nahtlos an. Wie sich Marc Muellbauer und Heinrich Köbberling atmosphärisch einbringen, ist ganz große Trio-Kunst. Nichts wirkt rast- und orientierungslos, alles atmet und pulsiert.
Reiner H. Nitschke, Stereo
‘Sooner And Later’ is an album that grows in appeal with repeated listening. The trio masters interplay and while that dynamic takes precedence over solo time, there are numerous opportunities to appreciate each of the players individually. The quieter moments are warm and enveloping, each with a distinct personality. Where the trio displays their more energetic side, they show a brilliance for creating complex and highly engaging melodies. ‘Sooner And Later’ is a significant achievement for a trio that had set a high bar, long ago.
Karl Ackermann, All About Jazz