The newest addition to ECM’s popular Old and New Masters Series is a box set reprising the four albums made by Peter Erskine’s American-British-Swedish trio with John Taylor and Palle Danielsson between 1992 and 1997: You Never Know, As It Is, Time Being and Juni. If its core concept – a piano led by a drummer – was unorthodox, the group was nonetheless influential, and the recordings provide an excellent environment for appreciating the distinctive writing and playing of John Taylor. The British pianist was the Erskine Trio’s primary composer, with the drummer-leader and bassist Danielsson also contributing pieces and the repertoire topped up with tunes by Vince Mendoza and Kenny Wheeler. Of his trio mates Erskine says, "We drew out our most explorative and interesting playing from each other. Without trying to be, we were a truly unique group. I’ve heard nothing like it before or since.”

Tracklist:

CD 1
1. New Old Age (John Taylor)
2. Clapperclowe (Taylor)
3. On the Lake (Peter Erskine Trio)
4. Amber Waves (Vince Mendoza)
5. She Never Has a Window (Mendoza)
6. Evans Above (Taylor)
7. Pure & Simple (Taylor)
8. Heart Game (Mendoza)
9. Everything I Love (Cole Porter)

CD 2
1. Terraces (Taylor, Danielsson, Erskine)
2. For the Time Being (Peter Erskine)
3. If Only I Had Known (Erskine)
4. Evansong (Taylor)
5. Page 172 (Taylor)
6. Liten Visa Till Karin (Staffan Linton)
7. Bulgaria (Erskine)
8. Ambleside (Taylor)
9. Phrase One (Kenny Wheeler)
10. Palle’s Headache (Palle Danielsson)
11. Pieds-en-l’air (Peter Warlock)

CD 3
1. Glebe Ascending (Taylor)
2. The Lady in the Lake (Erskine)
3. Episode (Taylor)
4. Woodcocks (Taylor)
5. Esperança (Mendoza)
6. Touch Her Soft Lips and Part (William Walton)
7. Au Contraire (Taylor)
8. For Ruth (Taylor)
9. Romeo & Juliet (Erskine)

CD 4
1. Prelude No.2 (Taylor)
2. Windfall (Taylor)
3. For Jan (Kenny Wheeler)
4. The Ant & the Elk (Erskine)
5. Siri (Danielsson)
6. Fable (Taylor)
7. Twelve (Erskine)
8. Namasti (Diane Taylor)