„Some Musicians try to show how much they can play by playing everything they know, while Cologne-based guitarist Martin Schulte and his NY Quartet show on their latest album, Pieces Of Astoria, that less can be more. Along with tenor saxophonist Jake Saslow, bassist Craig Akin and drummer Peter Gall, Schulte leaves the listener wanting more, which is a testament to the group’s artistry and maturity. The quartet’s performances of six Schulte originals and Duke Ellington’s „In A Sentimental Mood“ sound effortless and completely natural. The low-key and relaxed vibe invites the listener to surrender himself to this fine album. Each player here puts collective music making above his ego. „Dancing Teen“, which has a brisk second-line type feel, demonstrates how adept the rhythm section is at not only supporting the soloist, but at making space for each other as well. Akin’s short, descending lines dovetail with Gall’s snare, while Schulte fills in brief spaces with chords and echoes Akin’s line. The group displays near-telepathic abilities on the waltz „Joshua’s Wish“ in that they seem to know where each line is headed; these guys have big ears. Saslow’s highly expressive approach is loaded with nuance and subtlety. He blends perfectly with Schulte when both play the head, as on „Brooklyn Lager“, and Schulte’s ringing arpeggios and reverb-laden sound complement Gall’s crisp drumming and Akin’s clean attack. Schulte intersperses plenty of space into his single-note phrases, showing that what’s not said is just as important as what is.“