Record Reviews

ERIK THORMOD HALVORSEN ~ SOCIAL CALL LOSEN 189 (Barcode: 7090025831898) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is an album by veteran Norwegian trumpeter Erik Thormod HalvorsenFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic sextet setting with British (resident in Norway) saxophonist Dave EdgeFind albums by this artist, pianist Freddy Hoel NilsenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Frode KjekstadFind albums by this artist, bassist Agnar AspaasFind albums by this artist and drummer Lars Erik NorumFind albums by this artist. A larger brass section is present on two of the tracks, creating a Big Band effect. Together they perform ten pieces, three of which are original compositions by Halvorsen and one by Aspaas, and the remaining six are standards. The music is classic mainstream Jazz, somewhere between Swing and Bebop, as if frozen in a time capsule going back to the 1940s, beautifully melodic and spiced with well behaved improvised solos full of lyricism and wonderful elegance. Of course one can wonder if playing this kind of Jazz is still relevant today, but in this specific case the music is a tribute to the Jazz tradition, heartfelt and unpretentious, and as such fully relevant, as classic today as what other people call Classical music. The performances and arrangements are all absolutely perfect, as expected from these professionals, with excellent solos and tight sextet playing. The music was superbly recorded and presents a clear, rounded sound, which is a delight to listen to and Hi-Fi enthusiasts´ heaven. Overall this is a delightful album for mainstream Jazz connoisseurs, which has everything this genre demands: great tunes, perfect band and beautiful playing. Well done!

Updated: 17/02/2018Posted: 17/02/2018

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ERIK THORMOD HALVORSEN ~ UPPERCASE LOSEN 138 (Barcode: 7090025831386) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by veteran Norwegian trumpeter / composer Erik Thormod HalvorsenFind albums by this artist, recorded in different quintet lineups with saxophonist Rune A. NicolaysenFind albums by this artist and pianist Freddy Hoel NilsenFind albums by this artist and several guitarists, bassist and drummers and a couple of guest musicians. The album presents eleven compositions, six of which are originals (four by Halvorsen and one each by Nicolaysen and Nilsen) and five are standards. All tracks are studio recordings except for the closing track which was recorded live. Halvorsen, a lifetime member of the excellent Norwegian Sandvika Storband (Big Band}, was 64 years old at the time this music was recorded. I have no idea why he had to wait so long to make this album but I am glad he finally did, as it is overall fabulous. The music is a straight-ahead mainstream Jazz, which is perfectly performed by all the participants, who display obvious sympathy towards the music and a great swinging groove. Funny enough, the original compositions on this album are honestly as good as the standards and its great to see that some people are still capable of composing a swinging Bebop tune, which makes the Jazz tradition alive again. There are many great solos on this album by those by the Irish guitarist Louis StewartFind albums by this artist are simply marvelous. Although not innovative or adventurous in any way, this is still a very good Jazz album, which many listeners around the world should be able to enjoy immensely and which plays a suitable homage to the mainstream Jazz tradition. I had a lot of fun listening to this music and I´m sure many others will share my feelings about it.

Updated: 06/03/2016Posted: 04/03/2016

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