The Cologne-based kOi Trio of German-Japanese Matthias Akeo Nowak (b) takes its cue from Charles Mingus with contrasting sounds and surprising tempo changes. Rias Khabirpour (g) reminds of Pat Metheny without equipment overdose. Unadorned runs: sometimes nimble, sometimes contemplative. Precisely beating Oliver Rehmann (dr) is the ideal partner to bring together bebop, rock influences as well as serial structures on his own way.