Record Reviews

ORJAN HULTEN TRIO ~ 14 OCTOBER 2017 LIVE AT BAS ARTOGRUSH 011 (Barcode: 7350051973314) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the fourth album by Swedish saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist and his trio with bassist / composer Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Fredrik RundqvistFind albums by this artist. The trio performs eight compositions, four of which are originals by Hulten, two are originals by Augustson and two are standards. The album was recorded live at the BAS concert venue during the 2017 Stockholm Jazz Festival. The music on this album seems to be less melody oriented than the earlier recordings by the trio and offers an intimate trialogue, which a lot of breathing space and searching intensity. Saxophone trio is one of the most demanding Jazz settings, and this trio, after playing together for so many years, brings the Art of the trio to perfection. The trio members are conversing at all times and this is never a leading instrument accompanied by a rhythm section situation, but rather a symbiotic cooperation. The Scandinavian "cool" is in the air, with the music tending to be minimalist and saying only what is necessary, without redundant ornamentation. As a result the music is pristine and fully coherent, adhering to the "less is more" principle. The live environment is obviously less constraining and these experienced musicians handle the "one take only" challenge with ease and elegance. All three members of the trio are obviously highly talented musicians, who share a deep respect towards each other, placing the trio´s togetherness above individual statements. This does not mean of course that the album does not feature superb soloing, especially by Augustson. Overall this is another important step in the already established career of this trio and the leader in his capacity as the principal composer. The album offers modern European / Scandinavian Jazz at its best, and is a joy to listen to. Well done, as usual!

Updated: 02/07/2018Posted: 02/07/2018

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ORJAN HULTEN TRIO ~ IN THE CITY ARTOGRUSH 005 (Barcode: 7320470104378) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 This is the second album by the trio led by Swedish saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist with bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Fredrik RundqvistFind albums by this artist. The trio plays nine tunes, four composed by Augustson, three composed by Hulten and two standards. Five tunes were recorded in a studio and four were recorded live. Musically this album continues the direction set by the trio´s debut album recorded a year earlier, presenting modern European Jazz, based on melodic themes but at the same time open enough to allow extensive improvisations. Augustson gets exposure as a composer here and his music expands the trio´s musical language but does not change the direction dramatically. The personal contributions are all superb, with Hulten playing some passionate solos in the spirit of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist´s tradition, especially noticeable on the live tracks, which are naturally significantly longer than the studio pieces and allow much more expressive statements. The rhythm section stands shoulder to shoulder with Hulten and Augustson contributes several impressive bass solos in addition to his excellent accompaniment. Overall this is a first class Jazz album, which represents the young generation of European Jazz musicians, showing their respect towards the Jazz tradition as well as their search of new individual ways to express their Art. It is universal and sounds genuine and honest to all Jazz fans around the globe, regardless of their location. This album is definitely worth being investigated and deserves a place in every serious record collection. It lost absolutely nothing of its appeal over time, which again testifies as to its quality. Well done!

Updated: 04/07/2016Posted: 04/07/2016

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ORJAN HULTEN TRIO ~ IN THE WOODS ARTOGRUSH 003 (Barcode: 7332147000746) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 This is the debut album by a trio led by Swedish saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist with bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Fredrik RundqvistFind albums by this artist. The trio plays nine original compositions, all by Hulten. The music is a wonderful collection of beautiful melodic tunes, played with passion and superb musicianship. Saxophone trios are among the most difficult Jazz setups, but in this case everything simply works out perfectly. The trio performs as one organic unit, with the musicians supporting each other amicably. Hulten plays remarkably, improvising intensely but at all times staying within the chord structure of the underlying melodies and although his improvisations are very complex at times, they let the listener to hear the melodic trail at all times. The rhythm section is quite intensive, playing along the leader closely, with Augustson being there with his strong and rhythmic pulsations, which add enormously to the flow of the music. Rundqvist is also pretty busy, playing polyrhythmically at tomes but always delicately and carefully trying not to disturb the flow. Overall this is a classic example of a perfectly functioning saxophone trio, full of harmony and mutual respect. The music represents perfectly modern contemporary European Jazz, with combines the Jazz tradition with advanced compositional complexity and fluent instrumental work, which recognizes versatility and openness both stylistically and conceptually. Although this is not a debut by Hulten, who released albums as a leader before this one, this is a remarkable debut for the trio, and it keeps the freshness and superb quality very well through out the years that passed since it was originally recorded. For Jazz connoisseurs of post-Coltrane modern European Jazz this is a true delight.

Updated: 01/07/2016Posted: 01/07/2016

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ORJAN HULTEN TRIO / JOHAN BERKE ~ THE DEAD ARTOGRUSH 008 (Barcode: 7350051971167) ~ SWEDEN ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the third album by the trio led by Swedish saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist with bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Fredrik RundqvistFind albums by this artist. This time the trio is expanded into a quartet with the addition of guitarist Johan BerkeFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eight original compositions, three composed by Hulten, another three co-composed by all four musicians and two composed by Berke. The presence of Berke and the extensive usage of electronics on this album changed significantly the musical concept in comparison to the two preceding albums recorded by the trio. The music presented here is much more ambient and atmospheric, melancholic and reflective than the melodic based earlier material. It is therefore somewhat removed from the mainstream Jazz presented earlier and ventures also into Avant Garde experimentation. Berke emerges as an excellent instrumentalist and his less conventional approach and playing style are a surprising and refreshing juxtaposition of musical ideas. The album could be divided into two parts, where the first part features the three compositions by Hulten, which are followed by relatively short free electronic improvisations by the quartet. The second part is a two-part suite by Berke, which features recitation in Japanese. There seems to be a concept behind the album, as suggested by the album´s title which originates from a short poem by Hulten. In spite of all the changes, Hulten and the trio / quartet manage to present heartfelt musical ideas, which are certainly worth investigating and which although more demanding to the average listener, become as rewarding as the earlier work. The spirit of exploration and experimentation, which is obvious on this album, is an essential aspect of music making and those artists who lack the ability to progress and try out new ideas are very often simply lagging behind. Overall Hulten and his cohorts manage to keep up the excellent work they started together a few years earlier and this album solidifies their position as proud representatives of the contemporary Scandinavian / European Jazz, which simply does not disappoint. Well done again!

Updated: 17/12/2018Posted: 06/07/2016

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TASSOS SPILIOTOPOULOS ~ IN THE NORTH ANELIA 002 (Barcode: 190394049126) ~ GREECE ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the third album by the Greek guitarist / composer Tassos SpiliotopoulosFind albums by this artist and his first since he left London (where he lived for a dozen years) for Stockholm. It is recorded in a quartet setting with three Swedish musicians: saxophonist Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist, bassist Palle SollingerFind albums by this artist and drummer Fredrik RundqvistFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Spiliotopoulos. The music floats between contemporary Jazz and Fusion, with clear melodic motifs and relaxed, lyrical atmosphere. The electric guitar emphasizes the Fusion association, although the contemplative nature of this music is definitely not of the usual Fusion shade. Also the presence of strong ethnic elements, Greek but also others like Middle Eastern and Scandinavian, take the music also into the World Music idiom. Overall there is a diverse collection of influences, which amalgamates into a fascinating musical coat of many colors. Spiliotopoulos works very amicably with the Swedish musicians, who support him all the way through. His solos are all always full of splendid displays of his feel and technique. Hulten often plays the themes unisono with him and then they separate, each to play his own solo. The rhythm section handles the complex melody and tempi shifts without a hiccup, being there behind the two soloists at all times. The album has many wonderful moments and on the whole should satisfy all listeners of Fusion and beyond. This is definitely an album worth investigating and Spiliotopoulos is a musician worth being followed, judging from his career and achievements so far. So please remember his name and support his music every way you can.

Updated: 26/02/2016Posted: 13/02/2016

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