Record Reviews

ARILD ANDERSEN ~ IN-HOUSE SCIENCE ECM 2594 (Barcode: 602567168973) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2018 This is the third album by the trio led by Norwegian Jazz bassist / composer Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist, with British saxophonist Tommy SmithFind albums by this artist and Italian (resident in Norway) drummer Paolo VinacciaFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live during a performance in Austria and presents six tracks, all original compositions by Andersen. The music was mixed and mastered by my Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist and offers the expected spectacular sound quality. Andersen has been my favorite Jazz bass players since as long as I can remember, and he impersonates the European Jazz essence more profoundly than most. His impeccable technique, creative virtuosity and sublime compositions are always a source of great joy and inspiration. This trio showcases Andersen’s bass more prominently than most of his other ensembles, and the long lasting camaraderie with his partners herein is immediately apparent. The trio performs as one organic body, always perfectly in sync and unified in their goal to interpret the music with deep feeling and personal involvement, but observing the communal spirit. Despite the fact that the music is quite intricate, both harmonically and rhythmically, the trio cuts through the tricky material like a knife through butter, elegantly and always exactly on the dot, with a Swiss-watch precision. All three members of the trio get plenty of opportunity to show their chops, but as already stated, the bass remains the dominant focus of the music, defining both the melodic and the rhythmic framework of the music. Overall, this is a stunning piece of European Jazz, serving as a showcase of Andersen’s bass virtuosity, but at the same time displaying the depth and complexity of his compositions, as well as presenting an incredible ensemble work by the trio. As anything recorded by Andersen, this is pure gold from start to finish, with no dull moments for the entire duration and a triumph of European Jazz ingenuity, which takes the music into s completely different aesthetic plane.

Updated: 11/01/2024Posted: 11/01/2024

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ARILD ANDERSEN ~ THE TRIANGLE ECM 1752 (Barcode: 602567430469) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2003 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of a wonderful album by Norwegian bassist / composer Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with Greek pianist Vassilis TsabropoulosFind albums by this artist and British drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, three composed by Andersen, four by Tsabropoulos, one a Classical piece arranged by him and finally one co-credited to all three musicians. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by my Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, with the usual sublime sound quality. The music is all beautifully melodic and lyrical, brilliantly performed by these Giant musicians. This is a 2nd album recorded by this trio, following the no less beautiful “AchiranaFind albums with this title”, originally released in 2000. Tsabropoulos, who emerged as a Classical pianist, turns out to be a most sensitive Jazz musician, with wonderful improvisational qualities. Marshall, the veteran of British / European Jazz scene since the 1960s, was at the time still one of the best drummers around, here sticking mostly to the “less is more” approach. The leader, and one of my favorite bass magicians on this planet, displays his usual qualities, which are simply breathtaking. Overall, this is an absolutely “classic” Jazz piano trio album, which deserves an honorary place on the shelf of the “best ever” recordings in that niche. Lovers of the Artistry of Bill EvansFind albums by this artist should be especially interested, as Tsabropoulos has often a very similar touch and style to the American Giant. Criminally overlooked and absolutely essential Piano trio album, which should not be missed by anybody, who calls himself a Jazz lover!

Updated: 03/08/2024Posted: 03/08/2024

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ASMUNDSEN & CO ~ PASTOR`N LOSEN 167 (Barcode: 7090025831676) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by a Norwegian Jazz quintet called Asmundsen & CoFind albums by this artist, led by female bassist Tine AsmundsenFind albums by this artist, which also includes two further Norwegian Jazz veterans: saxophonist Vidar JohansenFind albums by this artist and pianist Rune KlakeggFind albums by this artist, and two younger players: trumpeter Magnus Aannestad OsethFind albums by this artist and drummer Terje EngenFind albums by this artist. The album is a tribute to the music of the legendary Norwegian pianist / composer Einar IversenFind albums by this artist, and the quintet performs eleven of Iversen´s beautiful original compositions, composed between 1999 and 2009, arranged by the quintet members. The music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist presiding at the console. The music is melodic mainstream European Jazz, based on solid compositions and flawless execution by the participating musicians. The quality of the tunes is consistently excellent and the harmonic approach is elegant and pleasant. Although not breaking any new ground, this music should satisfy all mainstream Jazz connoisseurs and is an excellent example of European musicians playing mainstream Jazz as good if not better than their colleagues across the pond. Combined with the superb sound quality, this is definitely something many Jazz listeners will love dearly. This album is also an important tribute to the history of Norwegian Jazz, and for people who follow the Nordic scene in general and Norwegian scene in particular it is a keystone recording as such.

Updated: 02/10/2017Posted: 02/10/2017

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KETIL BJORNSTAD ~ GRACE EMARCY 044001362224 (Barcode: 044001362224) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2000 Released: 2001 This is a beautiful Jazz & Poetry album by Norwegian pianist / composer Ketil BjornstadFind albums by this artist, recorded with a splendid team, which includes vocalist Anneli DreckerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / vocalist Bendik HofsethFind albums by this artist, guitarist Eivind AarsetFind albums by this artist, electronics manipulator Jan BangFind albums by this artist, bassist Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist and Indian percussionist Trilok GurtuFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, all composed by Bjornstad, with lyrics based on writings by the English poet / writer John DonneFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live with overdubs added at the Rainbow Studio and edited / mixed by the great Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The music is all beautifully melancholic and delicate, with echoes of late English Renaissance and typical Nordic accents. Although not a strictly Jazz album as such, it has many Jazz influences, not surprisingly in view of the lineup. The music develops gently and requires patience and attention, but is highly rewarding and accessible to a wide range of artistically inclined audiences. Overall, this is a beautiful Jazz & Poetry project as well as a nice example of the Norwegian Jazz scene, which has so many surprising sides, all worth being discovered. It is a quartet of a Century old, but lost none of its beauty and charm over time!

Updated: 16/02/2025Posted: 16/02/2025

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ELLEN BODTKER / JAN ERIK VOLD ~ SOMMEREN DER UTE LOSEN 150 (Barcode: 7090025831508) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 Anybody reading my reviews should be aware by now of my compelling sympathy towards the Jazz & Poetry idiom, which means that this album was at the focus of my attention even before I heard the first note, since it presents the celebrated Norwegian harpist Ellen BodtkerFind albums by this artist, who accompanies the fascinating lyric poet Jan Erik VoldFind albums by this artist, who recites his poetry. It also features trumpeter Arve HenriksenFind albums by this artist and percussionist Eirik RaudeFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eighteen pieces, twelve of which have music composed by Bodtker and three each composed by Henriksen and Raude. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and was engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. Vold´s flirt with Jazz goes way back to the early days of his literary career and he recorded already in the 1960s with the famous saxophonist Jan Garbarek and later on with many other famous Jazz musicians. For a fascinating glimpse of these early recordings please check out the Box Set: "Vokal – The Complete Recordings 1966–1977Find albums with this title" released in 2009. Of course the classically trained Bodtker does not play Jazz in the strict definition of the genre, but who cares. Her music, although often Classically influenced, is open enough to find a place well within the expanded boundaries of what we call "Jazz" these days, which is as it should be. She is among the very few harp players who can swing, so she´s definitely "our cup of tea". Of course Henriksen is a bona fide Jazz musician and his magical trumpet, which sounds like the fakir´s flute or an Akira KurosawaFind albums by this artist shakuhachi laced soundtrack, bonds the music with the centre of the Jazz experience. Raude, also classically trained, is obviously also open to all the various musical worlds, contributes his delicate and sympathetic touches sparingly but always right where they are needed. Vold recites his poetry in Norwegian, which of course limits the understanding of the actual meaning of his poetry to the Norwegian speaking audience, but as I always say poetry has the power to transcend the boundaries of language and his voice can be accepted as simply another acoustic aspect of this music, and his reciting as a kind of vocalese, for all those non-Norwegian speaking listeners. This album is a wonderful tribute to Vold´s poetry, and sonically a fascinating journey through the many facets of contemporary music, which blends and amalgamates genres, traditions and influences into the new European aesthetics of the 21st Century. Wholeheartedly recommended to the pursuers of non-trivial Cultural experiences!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 16/02/2016

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BRIDGES ~ BRIDGES WITH SEAMUS BLAKE AMP 008 (Barcode: 662578831013) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by Norwegian Jazz quartet BridgesFind albums by this artist, led by drummer Anders ThorenFind albums by this artist and also including trumpeter Hayden PowellFind albums by this artist, pianist Espen BergFind albums by this artist and bassist Ole Morten VaganFind albums by this artist. The quartet is joined by NY based (born in London, raised in Vancouver) saxophonist Seamus BlakeFind albums by this artist and together as a classic quintet they perform ten pieces, nine of which were individually or collectively composed by the quintet members. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, with the usual spectacular sonic quality. The music is a superb example of modern European Jazz, with a tinge of Nordic melancholy, but nor really a typical Scandinavian outing, probably due to Blake´s presence. Based on firm melodic basis, the music allows enough space and freedom to appear airy and enables the individual players to express their statements. Three of the pieces are collective improvisations, with emphasizes the diversity and openness of the music. The individual performances are all first rate, which is hardly surprising from musicians of this statue. Blake delivers his velvety phrases, which are always right on the money, but he is not taking the centre of the stage on this album, which is by all means a collective effort. Powell plays some great trumpet lines, which are a delight and Berg masterly creates the harmonic layer upon the music smoothly flows on, throwing in a few breathtaking solos. The rhythm section is inventively supportive and deeply involved within the music, as usual with European Jazz, which sees the rhythm section as an integral part of the music making process. Overall this is a superb album from start to finish, which offers excellent music and superb execution, topped with fabulous sound quality. Jazz connoisseurs can hardly expect a better "deal" and therefore are wholeheartedly invited to check this album out at the first opportunity; satisfaction guaranteed! The album was released on a young Norwegian record label, called AMPFind albums on this label Music & Records, which is consistently releasing excellent productions since day one and is also wholeheartedly recommended to be followed.

Updated: 24/07/2017Posted: 24/07/2017

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PETER ERSKINE ~ AS IT WAS ECM 2490/93 (Barcode: 602547558329) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 - 1997 Released: 2016 This wonderful Box Set contains the four albums by the American drummer / composer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist recorded by his trio which included British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and released on the ECMFind albums on this label label, which are: "You Never KnowFind albums with this title" (ECM 1497) recorded 1992, "Time BeingFind albums with this title" (ECM 1532) recorded 1993, "As It IsFind albums with this title" (ECM 1594) recorded 1995 and "JuniFind albums with this title" (ECM 1657) recorded 1997. The music was mostly composed by the trio members. All these albums were recorded at the magnificent Rainbow Studio in Oslo by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. Erskine, one of the most versatile and open-minded American drummers, who feels at ease in many diverse musical environments, has a long history of cooperating with European musicians, which strongly influenced his approach and brought him closer to the European aesthetics, which is strongly present on these recordings. Piano trios led by the drummer are a relative rarity in Jazz history, but as these albums demonstrate they can be every bit as excellent as those led by pianists. These three Master musicians create superb music together, in the best tradition of the classic piano trio, strongly emphasizing European approach to melody and improvisation, full of elegance and lyricism. The music is all melody based and "well behaved", but can hardly be considered as mainstream, thanks to Taylor´s wonderful performances and rhythmic openness carried out by the rhythm section. The piano parts played by Taylor are a striking evidence of his genius and the fact that he is no longer with us underlines the importance of this reissue, as the individual albums are of course no longer available. But the virtuosic bass parts by Danielsson and fabulous drumming by Erskine are equally worth being heard again of course. As usual with this "Old And New Masters" series, the individual CDs are housed in plain white carton sleeves – a matter of elegance or budget? – and the booklet includes a very long background article, this time by respected critic John KelmanFind albums by this artist, which I seriously doubt many people have the stamina to read these days. Overall this is an absolute must have for all Jazz piano trio lovers and of course British Jazz enthusiasts, who cherish every keystroke by John Taylor, like yours truly. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 11/07/2019Posted: 11/07/2019

CD 4 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend

FAIRPLAY & NORMA WINSTONE ~ FAR TO GO GRAPPA 4056 (Barcode: 7033662040568) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 Released: 1993 This is a wonderful and little known album by Norwegian quartet FairplayFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonist / bass clarinetist Tor YttredalFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vigleik StoraasFind albums by this artist, bassist Torbjorn HillersoyFind albums by this artist and drummer Trond KopperudFind albums by this artist. British vocalist / lyricist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist joins the quartet performing vocal parts and contributing lyrics to four of the songs on the album, which offers ten original compositions, all composed by the quartet members. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in charge of the recording magic, with spectacular results as usual. The music is an absolutely stunning example of Nordic Jazz, with a slight touch of Fusion, due to the utilization of electric bass and keyboards. The music is strongly melody based, with the omnipresent Nordic melancholy and introspection, but ventures into open, more freely improvised explorations on the instrumental tracks. Winstone fits wonderfully to this musical environment both as a vocalist and a lyricist, and the cooperation is perfectly organic and as a result also extremely effective. Her vocal and improvised vocalese are absolutely top notch. The instrumental pieces provide an opportunity to the quartet members to explore more adventurous direction, but overall the entire album is beautifully coherent and definitely offers a clearly defined musical aesthetics. It is interesting to hear this music in retrospect, especially in view of the later career of the members of the group, including ECMFind albums on this label recordings. Overall this is a lost treasure and an absolute gem for all Winstone fans, British and Scandinavian Jazz enthusiasts and all people with ears in their heads. Not easy to find but worth the effort – absolutely stunning stuff!

Updated: 18/06/2018Posted: 18/06/2018

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PIERRE FAVRE ~ WINDOW STEPS ECM 1584 (Barcode: 731452934826) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1996 This is a wonderful album by Swiss Jazz drummer / composer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist recorded with an international team of Jazz stars: British (of Canadian origin) trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Italian saxophonist Roberto OttavianoFind albums by this artist, American cellist David DarlingFind albums by this artist and bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions: four by Favre, one by Darling and two co-composed by members of the band. The music was superbly recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The music is beautifully melodic, contemplative and strangely Nordic in character, although no Scandinavian players are present. It borders on contemporary Chamber Music and includes some New Age accents, but is first and foremost elegantly European and completely artistically uncompromising. Both Darling and Swallow, who are American musicians, have played with European musicians throughout their extensive careers, and this influence can be felt here clearly. The instrumental performances are all stellar, as expected, and although most of the music in minimalist and subdued, there is enough space for formidable soloing, especially by Wheeler, who plays some outstanding notes on this album. Many Wheeler followers are not aware of his playing on this album and this is why I decided to add this review now, although the music was recorded two and a half decades earlier. But of course the rest of this splendid team also contributes generously and the album offers a continuous graceful musical joy ride, which used to characterize most of ECMFind albums on this label releases in the early days of the label´s activity. This album is wholeheartedly recommended to all European Jazz connoisseurs and absolute must to all lovers of Kenny Wheeler´s artistry.

Updated: 27/08/2020Posted: 27/08/2020

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MATHILDE GROOSS VIDDAL / FRIENSEMBLET ~ OUT OF SILENCE GIRAFFA 1706 (Barcode: 7090025838552) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 - 2016 Released: 2017 This is the fifth album by Norwegian saxophonist / composer / bandleader Mathilde Grooss ViddalFind albums by this artist and her twelve piece FriEnsembletFind albums by this artist, which features this time as a guest the French / Syrian flautist Naissam JalalFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eight original pieces, one of which is a three part suite, composed by Viddal, Jalal and members of the FriEnsemblet. All the music was recorded live at three different locations and was mastered by the wizard Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist at his famous den called Rainbow Studio. The music is, as expected, large ensemble Jazz with World Music influences, varying from soaring up tempo pieces to contemplative moments, presenting the full power and beauty of a large ensemble playing in unison, which can not be matched by smaller ensembles. Although the music is often well structured and arranged the soloists get a complete freedom to explore their own levels of consciousness, which tend to be much more Free Form oriented than the thematic background. At times the entire ensemble moves into a Free Form territory, which is also very powerful. The album presents a rich tapestry of sounds and musical ideas, with polyrhythmic background and complex layers of intertwined themes, which keep the listener on his toes for the entire duration. There are many superb individual contributions by the members of the ensemble, but Jalal´s flute parts are definitely the most moving and profound statements. The Middle Eastern feel and intrinsic sadness are deeply rooted in her playing and she is able to fit her parts to the stylistically diverse character of the ensemble at large. Overall this album is a challenging, deep musical experience, which opens new vistas and offers original interpretations of the possibilities that emerge within cross-genre experiments. Careful and repeated listening is recommended, but satisfaction is guaranteed. This is also a tragic reminder of the terrible tragedy that the Syrian People suffered (and still keep suffering) as the result of the devastating civil war in their country. May this music be a prayer in memory of the innocent victims and a ray of hope and solace!

Updated: 04/11/2017Posted: 04/11/2017

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JAN GUNNAR HOFF ~ FLY NORTH! LOSEN 119 (Barcode: 7090025831195) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is the fourteenth recording as a leader by the celebrated Norwegian pianist / composer Jan Gunnar HoffFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with Norwegian trumpeter Arve HenriksenFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Anders JorminFind albums by this artist and Danish (born in US) drummer / percussionist Marilyn MazurFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Hoff. Recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, this album is the epitome of what is known as Scandinavian Jazz or Scandinavian Sound, popularized for decades by ECM Records. Characterized by slow, melancholic, introvert and minimalistic melody lines and delicate, rounded notes, that seem to be floating like leaves in the wind or flowers on the (icy) water, The Scandinavian Sound has many avid followers around the globe and honestly nobody even tries to mimic this unique phenomenon, not even the Chinese ;) Of course Scandinavian Sound is often criticized by (mostly American) Jazz fans and critics for being tedious and lacking the basic daring Jazz spirit of exploration and discovery. Sadly in some cases this is indeed true, but certainly the entire idiom is very far from that shortsighted criticism, and in many cases produces extraordinary music, full of intelligence and deep emotion, and proudly representing the multifaceted European Jazz. There is no doubt that this music, apart from being breathtakingly beautiful, is also very communicative. The ability of musicians to communicate with their audiences without compromising their artistic vision is often underestimated, and this album is a superb example of such a case. This music can be absorbed on many different levels, from the purely emotional to the deeply intellectual, with each of these levels having something magical to offer to the listener. Although the focus of the album is directed towards Hoff´s piano, which he plays with grace and virtuosity, the other members of the quartet also contribute enormously; Henriksen´s "flute-like" trumpet sound is absolutely unique and captivating, Jormin, who is one of my all times favorite bassists, plays marvelously and his long melodic lines are a balsam to the ears and finally Mazur is, as always, more ornamenting the proceedings with her delicate and wonderfully timed touches, rather than setting the rhythms. Overall this is an instant Scandinavian Sound classic, which was warmly received upon its release and surely will keep many listeners happy in years to come!

Updated: 08/03/2016Posted: 08/03/2016

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JULIA HULSMANN ~ IN FULL VIEW ECM 2306 (Barcode: 602537177776) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the third album as a leader on the ECMFind albums on this label label by German pianist / composer Julia HulsmannFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with British trumpeter Tom ArthursFind albums by this artist and German bassist Marc MuellbauerFind albums by this artist and drummer Heinrich KobberlingFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen relatively short compositions, four by Hulsmann, one by Arthurs, four by Muellbauer, one by Kobberling and the remaining three originating outside of the quartet lineup. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist presiding at the controls. The first and immediate impression the listener is exposed to on this album is the stunning trumpet / flugelhorn work by Arthurs, which brings on a potent resemblance to the work of the lamented British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. However, soon enough it becomes very apparent that Arthurs has his very own personal voice, and the Wheeler resemblance is simply our desire to find a successor who would continue Wheeler´s magic rather than what Arthurs in fact delivers herein. But obviously Arthurs is destined to suffer from the "Wheeler likeness" syndrome for a while But yes, Arthurs definitely steals the show on this album, as Hulsmann and the rhythm section are often reduced to an accompanying trio, which seems to suit everybody concerned just fine. Her solo work is mostly limited and she is happy to step back and leave the center stage to Arthurs, which is a very smart move under the circumstances. The music itself suffers from a lack of compositional coherence and continuity and sounds somewhat alike for the entire duration of the album, with just slight tempi changes and limited harmonic versatility. As a result this album is a classic example of what ECM critics call "much ado about nothing". So eventually it all boils down to this: an album that would have been altogether quite unremarkable is saved by the brilliant trumpet parts, which are fabulous but can´t really hide its flaws and weakness.

Updated: 11/09/2016Posted: 11/09/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

PER HUSBY ~ DEDICATIONS HOT CLUB 21 (Barcode: 7029660010412) ~ NORWAY ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1985 Released: 1990 This is an insanely beautiful album by Norwegian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Per HusbyFind albums by this artist and his Orchestra / Big Band, which features the vocal talents of Norwegian singer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and British singer Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, my favorite Jazz singers in the whole world. The Orchestra includes the absolutely best Scandinavian players and the British guests: trumpeter Martin DroverFind albums by this artist and saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist. The album is dedicated to the American pianist / composer Tadd DameronFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, five of which are compositions by Dameron, two by Husby and one is a medley of a composition by Swedish Jazz composer Lars GullinFind albums by this artist and a composition by Husby dedicated to Gullin. The music was recorded at the fabulous Rainbow Studios and engineered by the legendary Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The album is full of brilliant arrangements and superb performances by the instrumentalists, which are nothing less than astounding, and the entire Big Band sound is just breathtaking. The vocals are the proverbial cherry on top. This has been one of my favorite albums since the date it was released but I managed to get a copy of the CD only recently after a long hunt ;) This project has a twin album called “If You Could See Me NowFind albums with this title”, recorded a year later by the Husby / Krog / Fame team, this time with an American Big Band. The comparison between the two is a true lesson in the differences between American and European Jazz, especially in the Big Band idiom. Overall, this is a classic album both for Big Band Jazz lovers and Jazz vocals lovers, which has but a few competitors. Sadly, it is rather obscure despite its sublime class and aesthetic values, but hey this is the fate of so many great albums produced outside of the mainstream American Jazz machine. Wholeheartedly recommended to all true Jazz lovers.

Updated: 29/03/2023Posted: 29/03/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

RUNE KLAKEGG & SCHEEN JAZZORKESTER ~ FJON LOSEN 153 (Barcode: 7090025831539) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is a beautiful album by Norwegian Jazz pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Rune KlakeggFind albums by this artist, recorded with the Scheen JazzorkesterFind albums by this artist, a regional orchestra comprising of thirteen players, of which Klakegg is the artistic director and pianist. The album presents six original compositions by Klakegg and one arrangement of a standard. Vibraphonist Rob WaringFind albums by this artist, a long time musical associate of Klakegg, appears as a guest and fourteenth orchestra member and vocalist Nina GromstadFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo, with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist presiding at the console, which of course means that the sound quality and clarity is exceptional. The music includes a collection of compositions by Klakegg, which have been assembled for a concert celebrating his sixtieth anniversary, and were consequently recorded for this album. The exquisite arrangements turn this music into a typical European large ensemble musical journey, which is as close to musical bliss as one ever gets. I have always been a sucker for the Big Band / Orchestral sound and therefore this album is an immediate favorite. Although the arrangements include solos on some of the tracks, the name of the game is the ensemble work and sound, with delicate, multilayered intricacies, which are revealed during consecutive listening sessions. Of course the arrangements have some relationship to the legacy of Gil EvansFind albums by this artist and Maria SchneiderFind albums by this artist, but also European influences like George GruntzFind albums by this artist and Mathias RüeggFind albums by this artist come to mind. Most of the stunning melodic themes composed by Klakegg are melancholic and delightfully lyrical, with a certain touch of the Nordic elegance and majestic calmness. But the music on this album is full of internal dynamics and flows rapidly like the Norwegian streams originating in the ice caps. Having just returned from the magnificent Norwegian landscapes, this music invokes immediately the fresh memories and will probably remain associated with them forever. In many respects I could envisage this music as a soundtrack of a documentary about Norway´s spectacular beauty. For connoisseurs of Orchestral Jazz this album is an immediate classic, and as such deserves to be heard by as many people as possible. The elegance, modesty and discipline that this album presents is a model for all orchestral Jazz recordings and deserves to be taught at music academies as an example of good taste. Gorgeous stuff!

Updated: 12/08/2016Posted: 12/08/2016

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ ALTERED PICTURES SVART 529 (Barcode: 6430077094710) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz This is a 3CD reissue of the two albums by iconic Finnish saxophonist / composer / bandleader Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist recorded originally in the US in 1983 and 1991. CD1 presents the album “Picture In Three ColorsFind albums with this title” recorded by a sextet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Tom HarrellFind albums by this artist, pianist Jim McNeelyFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron McClureFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader. The album was originally released on Koivistoinen’s new (at the time) self-owned record label ProFind albums on this label Records. CD2 presents the album “Altered ThingsFind albums with this title” recorded by a septet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Conrad HerwigFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist, Scofield, McClure and DeJohnette. Norwegian keyboardist Bugge WesseltoftFind albums by this artist added synthesizer parts on three tracks during post production and mix, which was done at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original tracks, eight by the leader and one each by Finnish pianist / composer Seppo KantonenFind albums by this artist and McClure. The album was originally released on CD only on the Dutch TimelessFind albums on this label Records label, owned by Wim WigtFind albums by this artist, who produced the album. CD3 presents eight bonus tracks, five from the first album and three from the second, which include both outtakes and alternate takes, all by the leader except one composition by McClure. The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz tradition, showcasing Koivistoinen’s brilliant composing / arranging skills and superb performances by some of the best American Jazz musicians active at the time. Koivistoinen’s ties with American Jazz go back in time to the years spent at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he absorbed the knowledge he would brilliantly utilize during his future career. He always showed a deep respect towards the American Jazz tradition, but at the same time presented a highly individual voice, which went beyond the boundaries of that tradition and incorporated European musical values and his native Finnish influences, turning him into one of the most versatile and prominent European Jazz personalities, as the music included here brilliantly exemplifies. It is of course great to see these two important albums expanded and made available again, thanks to the exemplary work done by SvartFind albums on this label Records, which treats the Finnish musical treasures with the respect they deserve, preserving the Cultural values, which are perhaps more important today than ever, in these dark days.

Updated: 22/02/2022Posted: 20/02/2022

CD 3 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

ALEX KOLOSOV & BIG SKY ~ 3 DAYS SOLITON 706 (Barcode: 5901571097060) ~ RUSSIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by Russian guitarist / composer Alex KolosovFind albums by this artist and his group Big SkyFind albums by this artist, which also includes clarinetist Lev LebedevFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vladimir IvanovFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrey RazdobudovFind albums by this artist. Veteran Polish violinist Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist guests on five tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Kolosov, and was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in charge of the knobs. The music is a Blues soaked Jazz-Rock Fusion, with rather simplistic melodies and straightforward arrangements that do not challenge the listener. Kolosov uses a distorted guitar sound, which he does not change for the entire duration of the album. Lebedev is kept in the background, although his clarinet parts are the most interesting contributions on the album. The keyboards contribute some background ornamentation and the violin solos are sadly not able to save the day, as they are more or less on the same musical level as the rest of the music, although Urbaniak´s virtuosity can still be heard between the notes. Overall the album offers little satisfaction to Fusion connoisseurs, with the only point of interest being the fact that it was recorded by Russian players, who are rarely heard beyond their country. Based on what they show here, it is perhaps all for the better.

Updated: 17/06/2018Posted: 16/06/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ALEX KOLOSOV & BIG SKY ~ 3 DAYS BCD 31 (Barcode: 5906881885314) ~ RUSSIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the debut album by Russian guitarist / composer Alex KolosovFind albums by this artist and his group Big SkyFind albums by this artist, which also includes clarinetist Lev LebedevFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vladimir IvanovFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrey RazdobudovFind albums by this artist. Veteran Polish violinist Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist guests on five tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Kolosov, and was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in charge of the knobs. The music is a Blues soaked Jazz-Rock Fusion, with rather simplistic melodies and straightforward arrangements that do not challenge the listener. Kolosov uses a distorted guitar sound, which he does not change for the entire duration of the album. Lebedev is kept in the background, although his clarinet parts are the most interesting contributions on the album. The keyboards contribute some background ornamentation and the violin solos are sadly not able to save the day, as they are more or less on the same musical level as the rest of the music, although Urbaniak´s virtuosity can still be heard between the notes. Overall the album offers little satisfaction to Fusion connoisseurs, with the only point of interest being the fact that it was recorded by Russian players, who are rarely heard beyond their country. Based on what they show here, it is perhaps all for the better.

Updated: 17/06/2018Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JAN ERIK KONGSHAUG ~ ALL THESE YEARS HOT CLUB 2027 (Barcode: 7029660003278) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 This is the second album by Norwegian Jazz guitarist / composer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Svein Olav HerstadFind albums by this artist, bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Per Oddvar JohansenFind albums by this artist. Together they perform ten pieces, nine of which are original compositions by Kongshaug and one is by Herstad. This album was recorded five years after the recording of Kongshaug´s debut, exactly with the same lineup. The most important difference if the fact that is presents almost entirely original compositions by Kongshaug. Jan Erik Kongshaug is primarily known as the legendary sound engineer and owner of the Rainbow Studio in Oslo. He gave me this album himself when I visited him in his studio and even autographed it, as you can see on the scan of the album´s cover. The music was of course recorded in Rainbow Studio and engineered by Kongshaug, with spectacular sonic result. The music is notably less mainstream Jazz oriented than the music on the debut album, with the melodic and harmonic aesthetics closer to the contemporary European Jazz, especially its Nordic sub-genre. The tunes are mostly relaxed and progress relatively leisurely, like waves caressing a sandy beach. Living among the magnificent Norwegian fjords must influence the country´s inhabitants, which is then reflected in their music. Kongshaug uses both chords and single notes, producing a coherent and refined sound, which engulfs the listener like a warm blanket. The three younger musicians earned a lot of respect on the local and international scene since the recording of the debut album with Kongshaug, and they amicably accompany the leader, soloing relatively rarely. This wonderful modesty and respect does not hide their great talents of course, which is obvious to anyone listening to this album. Sadly Kongshaug´s extremely busy schedule allowed so far for just two albums and hopefully we will hear more of his music again one day!

Updated: 04/11/2016Posted: 04/11/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JAN ERIK KONGSHAUG ~ THE OTHER WORLD ACT 9267 (Barcode: 614427926722) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is the debut album by Norwegian Jazz guitarist / composer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with three young (at the time of the recording) and upcoming musicians: pianist Svein Olav HerstadFind albums by this artist, bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Per Oddvar JohansenFind albums by this artist. Together they perform ten pieces, six of which are original compositions by Kongshaug and four are standards. If anybody is wondering if this is the same Jan Erik Kongshaug who is the legendary sound engineer and owner of the Rainbow Studio in Oslo, the answer is yes it is. Jan Erik Kongshaug gave me this album himself when I visited him in his studio and even autographed it, as you can see on the scan of the album´s cover. The album´s title might hint to the guitar playing as being the other world of his illustrious career in sound engineering. The music is beautiful mainstream Jazz, based on superb melodic themes and executed perfectly by the participants and of course fabulously recorded as well. The three young lions, which played and recorded together as a piano trio before this recording, are perfectly synced and balanced together, and play classic Jazz patterns as if they have been doing it for decades. Kongshaug´s guitar will probably surprise many listeners, as it is as professional and inspired as they come, somewhat reminiscent of Barney KesselFind albums by this artist. The most important characteristic of this recording is the elegance and the atmosphere of comradeship between the musicians. This is music made with love and respect, shunning ego and competition, while and simply having fun while doing it. Lovers of classic Jazz guitar playing should have a lot of fun with this album, especially since it avoids all form of flashy guitar pyrotechnics and simply does what is right at every moment, supported by a dream-team rhythm section. Kongshaug´s extremely busy schedule allowed so far for only one more recording session with the same lineup five years later, a review of which will follow shortly.

Updated: 01/11/2016Posted: 01/11/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG ~ FOLKWAYS MEANTIME 16 (Barcode: 7051070000165) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1996 - 2009 Released: 2010 This is a stunning album by iconic Norwegian vocalist Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, accompanied by British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Swedish violinist Mads BerglundFind albums by this artist and Norwegian oboist Brynjar HoffFind albums by this artist. The album presents nineteen tracks, most of which are Norwegian folk songs arranged by Krog, except for one original composition by Surman, which appears twice. The music was recorded at two separate sessions, thirteen years apart, by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, most probably at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo, although the information on the artwork is exceptionally skimpy. The music on this album is completely different from all the other recordings by Krog, which are mostly Jazz oriented and on which she sings in English. Here she deals mostly with Norwegian Folk songs and sings in Norwegian. Of course the arrangements do have a strong Jazz tinge, and Surman’s playing is all one way or another connected to improvisation. Since most of the tracks are Krog / Surman duets, this album might have been one more duo album by them, but the tracks with the two other guests sets it apart. One might speculate that one of the session was that with Surman, and the other session was with Berglund and Hoff? I must ask Karin about this ;) But mystery apart, musically the album is absolutely stunning and has been one of my favorite recordings by Krog (and Surman) since the day I heard it first. The music is unpretentious, intimate and reflects the perfect balance and telepathic communication between the musicians. It is a perfect example of Jazz-World Fusion amalgamation, which could be a school example of how such things are done at their best. Overall, this is an absolute brilliant album from start to finish, deeply moving and superbly musical. The amalgam of Folk music and Jazz is presented here at its absolute best and the result is simply irresistible. An absolute must!

Updated: 13/05/2022Posted: 13/05/2022

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG ~ HUSKONSERT I AURSKOG MEANIME 06 (Barcode: 7051070000066) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1995 Released: 1996 This is a beautiful album by Norwegian Jazz vocalist / songwriter Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, on which she pays tribute to her great-grandfather Anders HeyerdahlFind albums by this artist, violinist / composer and Norwegian Folk music collector. The album presents twenty-two tracks, which include classical music composed by Heyerdahl and folk songs he collected, transcribed and composed. The music is performed by Krog, fiddler Matts BerglundFind albums by this artist, saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist, pianist Einar Henning SmebyeFind albums by this artist and Der Norske StrykekvartettFind albums by this artist (string quartet). The album was co-produced by Karin and John Surman and recorded by our Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, at his legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo, and offers a spectacular sound quality. Although the album is intended as a tribute, the music is excellent from start to finish, especially the Folk songs performed by Krog with Surman’s accompaniment on bass clarinet. But the classical pieces and the Folk melodies played by Berglund are also fascinating. Overall, this is a highly unusual collection of music connected to Anders Heyerdahl, which deserves to be heard and is a beautiful musical experience from start to end, being an obvious labor of love by Krog and her companions.

Updated: 02/02/2024Posted: 02/02/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG ~ JOY MEANTIME 15 (Barcode: 7051070000158) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 - 1969 Released: 2008 This is a reissue of the third album by legendary Norwegian vocalist / composer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist recorded with young Norwegian musicians, who would soon become some of Europe’s Jazz icons: saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, pianist Terje BjorklundFind albums by this artist, bassist Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist, drummer Svein ChristiansenFind albums by this artist and percussionist Espen RudFind albums by this artist. This lineup recorded four of the tracks on this album, and the remaining track is a live recording with Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist, who joins Andersen to form a bass duo. The original album was expanded for this reissue by two live tracks recorded with a different lineup, which includes American (resident in Scandinavia at the time) trumpeter Ted CursonFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. The album was beautifully remastered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo. In the liner notes written for the original album by American composer / bandleader George RussellFind albums by this artist, who was one of the very few musicians at the time beyond the pond to discover the European Jazz revolution, he recognizes Krog as one of the most innovative Jazz vocalists, of the class of Sheila Jordan and Jeanne Lee, and this album clearly shows why. Her approach to singing in particular and Jazz in general was already at that time completely innovative, using vocalese, electronics and unconventional timbre. Although the music is still partly rooted in traditional American Jazz, these young Norwegians show no inferiority complex whatsoever, already clearly seeing the path ahead. The almost completely freely improvised track is already deeply ahead of the tradition of course. Krog’s vocal performances and her idiosyncratic voice are delightful from start to finish and the superb instrumental performances by all the musicians involved sound absolutely fresh despite the fact that this music was recorded over five decades ago. It is great to see Karin reissuing her recorded legacy on her own MeantimeFind albums on this label label, as this music obviously deserves to be remembered and even today can teach the new generations of Jazz musicians, how important it is to step forward boldly. Since today is Karen’s Birthday, I wish her many more years of music!

Updated: 15/05/2021Posted: 15/05/2021

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG ~ OSLO CALLING MEANTIME 14 (Barcode: 7051070000141) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 This is an album by the Norwegian Jazz singer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, recorded with a Norwegian trio comprising of pianist Vigleik StoraasFind albums by this artist, bassist Bjorn AlterhaugFind albums by this artist and drummer Tom OlstadFind albums by this artist, collectively known as The Meantimes. Several guest appear on selected tracks, including British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist and the legendary sound engineer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, who was also an accomplished guitarist. The album presents twelve tracks, two of which are original songs by Krog, two others are songs co-written by Storaas and Krog and the rest are standards. The album is a wonderful testimony of Krog’s love of the vocal Jazz idiom, which always reflects her incredible talent and her superb interaction with other musicians. Her treatment of Jazz standards is absolutely unique and instantly recognizable, and she has been one of my favorite Jazz vocalists since as long as I can remember. Overall, this is brilliant music, which deserves to be heard. Krog has very few competitors as a Jazz vocalist, with her idiosyncratic approach and incredible feel, and her superb recorded legacy accumulated over the years is a true treasure chest. This is an absolute must to vocal Jazz enthusiasts.

Updated: 19/08/2023Posted: 19/08/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / BERGEN BIG BAND / JOHN SURMAN ~ SEAGULL GRAPPA 4212 (Barcode: 7033662042128) ~ NORWAY ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is a brilliant album by Norwegian vocalist / songwriter Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, accompanied by the excellent Bergen Big BandFind albums by this artist, conducted by British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist, who also adds a few soli on several of the tracks. The album presents twelve tracks, two of which are written by Krog, five are co-written by Krog and Surman, and the rest are Jazz standards. The arrangements are mostly by Surman, but four of them are by another Brit (well, born in Canada) John WarrenFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded by my Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, and offers a spectacular sound quality. The album presents two separate European Jazz collaborations, the first between Surman and the Bergen Big Band, which also produced the superb “Another SkyFind albums with this title” album from 2014, also released on the GrappaFind albums on this label label, and the second between Krog and Surman, which started in 1976 and produced a long series of albums created oved many decades. Considering the fact that Krog and Surman are two of my all-time favorite musicians, and the Jazz Big Band is one of my favorite Jazz idioms, this album is for me an absolute delight from start to finish. Krog, as I have already stated many times previously, is one of the finest interpreters of Jazz standards, as well as a great songwriter of her own right, and she has been active since the mid-1960s, i.e. for almost six decades now, never singing a wrong note since, and her idiosyncratic vocals are one of European Jazz best known secrets. Surman is of course a true Jazz Master in every respect and his accumulated achievements are second to none. The Bergen Big Band is also a great representative of the European orchestral music approach, and all of their recordings are definitely worth being checked out for lovers of that particular Jazz sub-genre. Active since 1993, it is one of best European Big Bands around, featuring some of the best musicians in the country and often inviting guests from abroad. Overall, this a brilliant album, which combines Big Band Jazz and Jazz vocals, which can hardly get any better. It showcases the unique talents of Krog and Surman, here also as arranger / conductor, in short a splendid display of talent and virtuosity. Absolutely breathtaking!

Updated: 27/01/2024Posted: 27/01/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / DEXTER GORDON ~ SOME OTHER SPRING MEANTIME 10 (Barcode: 7051070000103) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 Released: 2000 This is a reissue / remaster of the fourth album by the Norwegian Jazz singer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1970 with a fabulous quartet: American saxophonist Dexter GordonFind albums by this artist and pianist Kenny DrewFind albums by this artist (both resident in Scandinavia at the time), Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Espen RudFind albums by this artist. The original album presented eight tracks, all standards, and this edition adds one outtake and three alternate takes as a bonus tracks. The music was recorded by the legendary Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist at his Rainbow Studio. This album is a wonderful document of the early days of Krog’s career, with her idiosyncratic approach and style already well in place. It also documents the Scandinavian Jazz scene in the late-1960s, which was developing rapidly, partly due to the fact that many American Jazz musicians settled in Scandinavia at the time, escaping the racist discrimination from which they suffered at home. Krog was always a sublime interpreter of the Great American Songbook, and her highly personal treatment of the standards was always absolutely unique, which is clearly evident on this early album. Of course the performances by the young Scandinavian players are also exceptional. Overall, this is a wonderful trip down the memory line, taking the listener over fifty years back in time to the steaming Scandinavian Jazz scene, which was exploding with talent and left a sublime legacy, which sounds as good today as it did then. For Jazz singers, this is a highly educational exposure of the Artistry of vocal Jazz.

Updated: 25/03/2024Posted: 17/09/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG & BENGT HALLBERG ~ CABIN IN THE SKY GAZELL 1112 (Barcode: 7393775111228) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is an album by Norwegian Jazz vocalist Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and Swedish pianist Bengt HallbergFind albums by this artist, recorded in a duo setting at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, ten of which are standards and two are original songs by Krog. Krog and Hallberg recorded a couple of albums as a duo in the past: “A Song For YouFind albums with this title” (1977) and “Two Of A KindFind albums with this title” (1982) and this recording made three decades later is a celebration of a long musical camaraderie between the two. Hallberg is a great pianist of course, but his skill as an accompanist is simply stunning. Despite the fact that the music spans many Jazz stylings, from Ragtime to Bebop, Hallberg feels perfectly comfortable for the entire duration and his sensibility towards Krog is absolutely stunning. Krog has been one of my favorite Jazz vocalists since many decades. She does not have any of the spectacular qualities that many Jazz vocalists offer, but she is a marvelous interpreter and her almost cabaret-like approach is often way more accurate and sensible than highly technical and virtuosic singer, who simply don’t get it despite their abilities. Overall, this is a marvelous duo album, and a perfect Jazz vocal display, which flows gently and intelligently from one song to another, like in a dream. The two old friends are perfect together, proving that age has nothing to do with it, if you really have to touch. This is a true gem from start to finish, like all the albums by Krog, and one that fits perfectly the gap in my collection. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 13/06/2023Posted: 13/06/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / STEVE KUHN ~ TOGETHER AGAIN GRAPPA 4247 (Barcode: 7033662042470) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is a duo album by Norwegian Jazz vocalist Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and American Jazz pianist Steve KuhnFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, all classic Jazz standards. The music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. During her long-lasting career Krog established close working relationships in several duo settings with top Jazz musicians, most notably with British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist and Kuhn, which resulted in a series of wonderful duo recordings, of which this is a prime example. The wonderful, naked format of human voice accompanied just by acoustic piano is one of the purest and most pristine examples of making music, which although intimate and modest can become infinitely rich and deeply moving. Kuhn is of course one of the greatest accompanists out there, known for his work with Sheila JordanFind albums by this artist and other vocalists, and his playing is simply divine. Combined with the Krog’s warm voice and her idiosyncratic interpretations of the songs, the duo is able to move mountains and make even the toughest listeners to shed a proverbial tear. Kuhn’s deeply lyrical approach to melody and the wealth of his piano technique is extraordinary and every note produced by him on the piano is absolutely perfect, in tone, volume and relationship to the vocals. Overall, this is a masterful showcase of the piano / vocals Jazz idiom, perfect from the first note to the last, and deserving repeated listening sessions over time. When the world gets particularly gloomy and sad, this album might just be the last resort…

Updated: 29/08/2021Posted: 29/08/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / JOHN SURMAN ~ BLUESAND MEANTIME 09 (Barcode: 7051070000097) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 This is wonderful duo album by Norwegian vocalist Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and British multi-instrumentalist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist, one of many albums they recorded together since their first meeting on stage in 1978, mostly released on the ECMFind albums on this label label and MeantimeFind albums on this label Records, like this one, which is owned by Krog. The album presents twelve original compositions, co-credited to them both with lyrics by Krog. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Jazz, Blues, Electronics, Nordic moods and above else elegance and good taste, which results in a unique listening experience. Krog sings lyrics and uses electronic devices and loops and Surman as usual switches between soprano and baritone saxes, clarinets, piano and synthesizers, creating a rich tapestry of sounds and feelings. Each and every one of the compositions is a gem, combining Krog’s vocals with layers of instrumental improvisations by Surman, and although completely coherent as a whole the compositions present a diversity of musical capsules, each and every one as if originating in a different universe. Overall this is a masterly conceived and executed piece of music in the “Art of the Duo” idiom, which exemplifies the power of minimalism. In his work with Krog, Surman always displays a different personality than on his solo or ensemble works as a leader, showing the gentler, almost romantic facet of his musical charisma. For British Jazz enthusiasts, this album offers some of Surman’s best work, Norwegian Jazz fans need no introductions and the album is simply a sweet reminder of how superb music can become in hands if intelligent and highly talented musicians. Not to be missed and every bit as great as it was at the time of its release.

Updated: 29/08/2021Posted: 13/04/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / JOHN SURMAN ~ CLOUD LINE BLUE MEANTIME 11 (Barcode: 7051070000110) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 Released: 2004 This is a reissue of the debut album by the fabulous duo of Norwegian vocalist / composer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded in London in 1976, with the participation of keyboardist Janet CookeFind albums by this artist and drummer Stu MartinFind albums by this artist. Surman composed or co-composed all the music with Krog and Martin and played a plethora of analog synthesizers in addition to playing saxophones. The album presents seven tracks, all featuring lyrics by Paul RowlandsFind albums by this artist. The music waited for another three years to be mixed, eventually done by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in Oslo and released in 1979. The album was also released in Poland on the PoljazzFind albums on this label label. The music is absolutely stunning, completely unique and revolutionary, so much so, that listening to it today, forty-five years after it was recorded, I experienced goosebumps. Krog’s idiosyncratic vocals and vocalese and Surman’s improvisations, are completely inimitable. The most astounding quality of the music is its deeply melodic feel despite the Avant-Garde exterior, which in retrospect characterizes both Krog and Surman for the entire duration of their respective careers. I vividly remember hearing this music live at the time, as well as haring the duo several times over time, always being completely taken over by the magic they managed to create together. Some musicians are obviously destined to play together, creating a result far greater than just the sum of its parts. This album, and the further recordings by this duo, are all gems and deserve to be heard, especially since they are all absolutely timeless. It is great that Karen manages to reissue all her recordings on her MeantimeFind albums on this label label, keeping them alive, as they would have disappeared into the depth of the abyss of forgotten music, if it was up to the Major labels. This album remains to be a giant step in European Jazz and deserves an honorable place in every serious record collection!

Updated: 07/06/2021Posted: 07/06/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / JOHN SURMAN ~ INFINITE PATHS MEANTIME 23 (Barcode: 7041880102326) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the fourth album by the iconic Jazz duo comprising of Norwegian vocalist Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist. John’s son Ben SurmanFind albums by this artist added some electronic effects and aural layers and made the live recording of a concert in Oslo, which was later mastered by the legendary sound engineer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, all original composition / improvisations by the duo. The music is absolutely stunning, moving between songs and improvisations and keeping a perfectly coherent musical atmosphere. The mixture of the Nordic climate and Surman’s highly ambient vistas, Krog’s idiosyncratic vocals and the electronically synthesized sounds works out perfectly, resulting in a wonderful flow of emotions, that is captivating and enchanting. Although highly improvised, the music maintains a highly melodic basis, which allows the listener to focus on the details without losing the thread and direction. In many respects this album revisits the early days of the Krog / Surman duo, which started some four decades earlier. Krog is definitely at her utmost best when improvising freely, which she does most of the time on this album. Overall, this is a brilliant example of the “Art of the Duo” idiom and one of the best albums in Krog’s long and impressive recorded legacy. Same goes for Surman of course, and his many fans will find him at his absolute top herein. European Jazz lovers should find this album absolutely essential piece of the puzzle!

Updated: 01/09/2021Posted: 01/09/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / JOHN SURMAN ~ SONGS ABOUT THIS AND THAT MEANTIME 20 (Barcode: 7041880102029) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the third album (well third under the duo moniker but they recorded together many times over the years) by the fabulous duo of Norwegian vocalist / composer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist. This time they are accompanied by Norwegian musicians: guitarist Bjorn KlakeggFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Ivar KolveFind albums by this artist, bassist Terje GeweltFind albums by this artist and drummer Tom OlstadFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all co-composed by Krog and Surman. The music was recorded by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo with the usual stunning sound quality. The music is wonderful, as always, but this time completely mainstream oriented. Krog sings the lyrics of the songs in a pretty straightforward manner, and Surman, who plays mostly baritone sax and bass clarinet, soloes beautifully, but conventionally, as do all the members of the band. For Krog and Surman followers this might come as a surprise, as their work together was mostly characterized by exploring the boundaries of the Jazz idiom. Having said that, this is still a most refined and wonderful musical experience, which offers a superb listening experience. All the instrumental performances are highly inspired and perfectly executed, and Krog’s idiosyncratic voice lost nothing of its beauty and charm over time, and she has few contenders as far as dramatic delivery is concerned. Overall the album is a beautiful gift of music, which is always welcome from these two great Artists. Back to the roots can be truly exciting, as this album convincingly proves!

Updated: 14/06/2021Posted: 14/06/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / JACOB YOUNG ~ WHERE FLAMINGOS FLY GRAPPA 4189 (Barcode: 7033662041893) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2002 This is a wonderful duo album by Norwegian vocalist / songwriter Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and guitarist / composer Jacob YoungFind albums by this artist. They are supported on three tracks by the sublime bassist Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, one of which was written by Krog, and the rest being Jazz standards. The album was produced by Karin’s Friend John SurmanFind albums by this artist and recorded by our Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, at his legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo, and offers a spectacular sound quality. Karin and the young (at the time) Jacob, who was at the early stages of his career, met to record a few tunes together for the Norwegian Radio, after Karin realized that her great affinity for the “Art of the Duo” Jazz idiom never resulted in a recording with a guitarist earlier on. A couple of years later this recording of the entire duo project came to fruition, with spectacular results. Previously to this recording session Young released his 3rd album “GlowFind albums with this title”, which was a turning point of his career. The music is, as always, a terrific journey through Jazz standards in a unique way Krog interprets them, which is unlike anything else within the genre. Her incredible sensitivity in expressing the lyrics and play around with the melody makes her a phenomenon. Young turns out to be a highly amicable accompanist, with great sensitivity to her vocal and rhythmic idiosyncrasies, soloing sparingly. It is truly amazing to realize that there is nothing missing here and the vocals and delicate guitar sounds create a complete doze of musical delivery. Young remains perfectly within the supporting role, not trying to add even one unnecessary note or phrase, always assisting the vocals with exactly the right notes or chords. When Andersen joins the duo, his brilliant pulsations expand the sound impressively, but again not spoiling the intimacy if this session, proving again what a genius musician he is. Overall, this is another great gem in the long list of Krog’s recorded legacy, which includes some of the finest Norwegian, European and American instrumentalists, but always emphasizes her complete individuality and uniqueness. Her music has been a source of musical delight since many years back, and continues to be so to this very day. Thank you for that, my Lady!

Updated: 01/02/2024Posted: 01/02/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES LLOYD ~ FISH OUT OF WATER ECM 1398 (Barcode: 042284108829) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1989 Released: 1990 This is the first album on the iconic German ECMFind albums on this label label by American Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer Charles LloydFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with the dreamy Scandinavian rhythm section comprising of pianist Bobo StensonFind albums by this artist, bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo, engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. This, the CD version of the album, includes one bonus track not included on the LP version, totaling in seven original compositions, all by Lloyd. The music offers a set of melodic, bluesy and wistful compositions, which spiritually are much way closer to the European / Nordic Jazz usually performed by the Scandinavian musicians taking part in this recording than what one might expect form an American Jazz musician, so deeply rooted in the Jazz tradition. But Lloyd was never a typical American Jazz musician and his exposure to European Jazz music and musicians during his career as well as his interest in World Music already proved that he can be quite unexpected and not following any particular trends. The album´s mellow and melancholic tunes flow gently in the air, caressing the listener´s ear, splendidly performed by the quartet members. Lloyd´s soloing is beautifully fluid and tender. Bobo´s piano parts are in full harmony with the leader´s melodic approach and his soloing takes the music towards more spacey planes. The bass and drums, which have a limited straightforward rhythmic role in this setting, ornament the music with pulsation and accents, always perfectly suited with the melodic flow. The album was, not surprisingly, received quite coldly by American critics and audiences, which at the time (late 1980s / early 1990s) approached the "ECM sound" with extreme caution and called it by the derogatory term "Euro Jazz", which proves that America was then still completely stuck in the conservative / retarded Jazz approach. Although in the three decades that passed since that time ECM managed to crack the American Jazz establishment, and even became somewhat fashionable, sadly partly due to the label´s conformism, most Americans still don´t get the quintessence of European Jazz. Although this album offers very little innovation or groundbreaking musical exploration, in retrospect it remains a solid mainstream statement, full of great melodies and virtuosic performances, which should please most contemporary Jazz connoisseurs. It lost nothing of its charm over time and probably will never do so, and since it is rather sadly forgotten today, my recommendation is to revisit it – satisfaction guaranteed! Although it is very difficult to get hold of lately, it was reissued by ECM as part of the "Old And New Masters Series", as one of the first five albums Lloyd recorded for ECM, combined in the Charles Lloyd "QuartetsFind albums with this title" Box Set.

Updated: 06/08/2019Posted: 06/08/2019

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JO DAVID MEYER LYSNE / MATS EILERTSEN ~ MEANDER ORA FONOGRAM 128 (Barcode: 7090015631286) ~ NORWAY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2016 - 2017 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by the Norwegian Jazz duo comprising of guitarist / composer Jo David Meyer LysneFind albums by this artist and veteran bassist / composer Mats EilertsenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven relatively short original compositions, five of which are composed by Lysne and six are improvised and co-credited to them both. The total duration of the album is about half an hour and therefore it is more an EP than a full album. The music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, which explains the wonderful sound quality of the music. The five composed pieces are beautifully melodic acoustic guitar / bass duets whereas the six improvised pieces involve usage of electronic devices and other effects, and are ambient in nature. As a result the album is a tapestry of both contrasting idioms, which works quite well together, but requires attentive listening and open-mindedness to make the musical connection. The musicians are of course excellent performers both as far as players of the traditional instruments and as improvisers, which is clearly evident from the resulting music. The overall atmosphere of the album is somewhat introvert and typically Nordic, but definitely not depressing, rather intriguing. The improvised pieces sound very much like cinematic music, which is able to tell a story. Overall this is an interesting, searching music, which explores uncharted territory and challenges the listener. A pity the album is so short, but on the other hand it offers a condensed dose of musical adventures, which compensates for the shortness. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 10/10/2018Posted: 10/10/2018

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NAKAMA ~ BEFORE THE STORM NAKAMA 001 (Barcode: 7090040250001) ~ NORWAY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by the Norwegian quartet NakamaFind albums by this artist, led by bassist / composer Christian Meaas SvendsenFind albums by this artist and also including violinist Adrian Loseth WaadeFind albums by this artist, Japanese (resident in Norway) pianist Ayumi TanakaFind albums by this artist and drummer Andreas WildhagenFind albums by this artist. Together they perform four original compositions, all by Svendsen. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. It is very difficult to try and label this music by any conventional standards, as it is as unconventional as humanly possible. Composed and improvised, reminiscent of contemporary Classical Chamber Music, with elements of Industrial, Serial and Minimalist music amalgamated into a "weird" whole. It takes a bold and open-minded listener to listen to this music or even to go through the opening tune which lasts for over seventeen minutes and consists of a mono-rhythmic repetition of a single chord with infinitesimal changes and a slight development towards the very end. The rest of the music is slightly less confronting, but the members of Nakama certainly don´t make it "easy" on the listener and demand his total attention, involvement and cooperation. And yet, despite the effort and intellectual tension, the music manages to move and even become enjoyable in time. This is probably the greatest effect Nakama manages to achieve on this album. Playing such uncompromising music usually ends up with the music being unable to penetrate the listeners, but in this case the magic, at least for me, does happen. One must of course praise these young musicians for their pioneering spirit and their courage to stand behind what they believe in. In today´s feebleminded word, where intellectual effort is considered ridiculous, people who step beyond convention are a tiny minority. Lucky for us, such people / Artists still exist. This album is highly recommended to all brave-hearted listeners, who welcome challenge and adventure. It is certainly full of these elements. Listening to this music is a form of recognition that musicians need in order to continue on their paths and if we want our Culture to keep evolving, we need to support it.

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

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NAKAMA ~ GRAND LINE NAKAMA 004 (Barcode: 7090040250063) ~ NORWAY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the second album by the Norwegian quartet NakamaFind albums by this artist, led by bassist / composer Christian Meaas SvendsenFind albums by this artist and also including violinist Adrian Loseth WaadeFind albums by this artist, Japanese (resident in Norway) pianist Ayumi TanakaFind albums by this artist and drummer Andreas WildhagenFind albums by this artist. Together they perform seven original compositions, all by Svendsen. The elaborate and beautifully designed packaging of the album explains a concept of musical compositions and form compositions, their correlations and how the music on this album presents a new approach to music making. Personally I listened to this music based on what I hear, rather than trying to follow the conceptual structure, as I believe that the sounds speak for themselves, often regardless of what the composer and the performers had in mind. The music has a very Classical / Chamber character, and although improvised, it sounds quite tamed and organized most of the time. The overall character of the music is similar to contemporary Classical pieces, composed in Europe in the last fifty years or so and can be heard during contemporary chamber music festivals. The melodic fragments and rhythmic pulses work together like pieces of a puzzle, creating a kaleidoscopic collage, which keeps changing all the time. Surprisingly and quite against the odds I find this music to be very communicative and engaging, which for this type of music is very rare. The musicians share the process of creation very effectively and each of them adds a different layer, which then amalgamates and intertwines with the layers created by the other players, creating a kinetic sound sculpture which develops on the fly. Although "strange" and innovative, this music offers a lot of space and silence between the notes, which enables it to breathe and the listener to absorb and respond, both emotionally and intellectually, without being overloaded. As a result this music is fun to listen to and does not require the listener to follow the "plan" behind it, but accept it in its "natural" form. Even though basically very far away from the Jazz idiom, Free Jazz / Improvising Music fans should be able to enjoy this music immensely. I definitely propose to everyone to check it out, as it surely deserves to be discovered. It is also worth mentioning that the sound quality of this recording is stunning, which is hardly surprising since it was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist.

Updated: 01/06/2016Posted: 31/05/2016

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NIOGI ~ LANDING ALESSA 1040 (Barcode: 9004501010408) ~ ISRAEL ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Israeli duo NiogiFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonist Omri AbramovFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Guy ShkolnikFind albums by this artist, which was expanded to a quartet with the addition of Norwegian bassist Per MathisenFind albums by this artist and Israeli drummer Utsi ZimringFind albums by this artist. The album presents five original compositions, three by Shkolnik and two by Abramov, including a five-part suite, which last for almost twenty four minutes. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo, engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The music of Niogi is a very melodic, serene and well behaved, floating somewhere between Prog-Rock, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Smooth Jazz. In some respects it is similar to what Pet MethenyFind albums by this artist was doing with his group during the early days of career (late 1970s to mid 1980s) or the easy side of Scandinavian Jazz, which often ventures into atmospheric music. The compositions are solid, but rather unremarkable and take absolutely no risks. Overall the music is pretty derivative. The performance of the music is dominated by the keyboards, acoustic piano and a plethora of synthesizer sounds, which after a while start to sound all the same. The saxophone parts are even less impressive. The only extraordinary musicianship is demonstrated by Mathisen, whose acoustic and electric bass parts are brilliant from start to finish and who shows ears, sensitivity, elegance and virtuosity in his performances. Overall this is a very pleasant, melodic music, which tries to reach a wide audience without offending anybody on the way. Since such music is loved by many, Niogi might even achieve a commercial success, but on the other hand they have fierce competition by hundreds of other groups playing very similar music. Not my cup of tea.

Updated: 11/05/2016Posted: 11/05/2016

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NORDIC CIRCLES ~ UNDER THE CLOUDS AMP 009 (Barcode: 662578831020) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 - 2017 Released: 2017 This is the second album by the fabulous Norwegian Jazz project called Nordic CirclesFind albums by this artist, which creates an opportunity for established Jazz musicians to perform with the young and upcoming representatives of the genre, not limiting the project to Norway but including also musicians from other Nordic countries. The ad-hoc lineup of the ensemble is a sextet this time and includes Swedish pianist Lars JanssonFind albums by this artist, Norwegian vocalist Siril Malmedal HaugeFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Jesper BodilsenFind albums by this artist, Norwegian saxophonist Magnus BakkenFind albums by this artist, Norwegian guitarist Jacob YoungFind albums by this artist and Swedish (resident in Norway) drummer Anders ThorenFind albums by this artist. Together they perform seven original compositions (four composed by Jansson and three by Bodilsen), one freely improvised piece and one composition by the Swedish songwriter Olle AdolphsonFind albums by this artist. The author of the English language lyrics to the songs remains undisclosed on the album´s packaging. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow studio in Oslo with the no less legendary Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in charge of the sonic result, which as usual in such case is extraordinary. The music is mostly deeply melodic, ranging from melancholic ballads to more energetic pieces, all of which are deeply influenced by the Nordic lyricism, which of course is the essence of the project. Even the improvised piece remains pretty disciplined and does not disturb the overall melodic and harmonic approach of the album as a whole. The individual performances by the participating musicians are all absolutely stunning, as expected. The young lions play comfortably along with the veterans without any inferiority complexes and for the listener it is impossible to recognize the age differences. Jansson has a wonderful melodic approach and the music simply flows from under his fingers. Bakken and Young play some very uplifting solos and the rhythm section elegantly keeps the music on track, providing the pulse. But the most exciting surprise is the young vocalist, who performs melodic lines and vocalese with the same ease and elegance. Her vocal improvisations are definitely some of the most thrilling parts on this album. Overall this is a wonderful example of melodic Nordic mainstream Jazz, full of moving lyrical content and exciting playing. Wonderfully put together and stunningly recorded, this is unadulterated delight from start to finish for a wide range of Jazz connoisseurs, especially those drawn to the icy Nordic atmosphere. Well done!

Updated: 01/10/2017Posted: 01/10/2017

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NORDIC CIRCLES ~ WINTER RAINBOW AMP 002 (Barcode: 769923110752) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by a project called Nordic CirclesFind albums by this artist, which assembles ad-hoc ensembles featuring musicians from the Nordic countries and creates a meeting point between established Jazz players and young representatives of the genre. On this album the lineup consists of Norwegian trumpeter Tore JohansenFind albums by this artist, Swedish guitarist Per OrvangFind albums by this artist, Norwegian pianist Helge LienFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Anders LjungbergFind albums by this artist and Swedish (resident in Norway) drummer Anders ThorenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions: three by Orvang, two by Thoren, one each by Johansen and Lien and one is an improvised non-credited piece. The music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in charge of the sound. The music is typical Nordic Jazz, with beautiful melodic themes developing slowly, full of melancholy and mystique. The minimalistic and delicate arrangements add to the lyrical atmosphere. Even the freely improvised piece sounds melodic and completely in place with the rest of the material. The performances of the quintet members are all stellar. Johansen "steals" the show with his beautiful trumpet tone and exquisitely balanced long solos, but Orvang and Lien also contribute exceptional statements. The rhythm section keeps the music moving forward, with the bass supporting the harmonic structures and the drums adding percussive ornamentations to the beat and tempo. There is a superb level of mutual understanding and respect and the music flows naturally and flawlessly, like mist over water. Lovers of the Nordic sound should find this album delightful in every respect, both musically and sound wise, as the recording is exceptionally bright and clear, as always in the case of Kongshaug presiding over the knobs. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Updated: 20/10/2017Posted: 20/10/2017

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MACIEJ OBARA ~ UNLOVED ECM 2573 (Barcode: 602557645620) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the fourth album by the Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Maciej ObaraFind albums by this artist and his international quartet, which also features Polish pianist Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist and Norwegian rhythm section: bassist Ole Morten VaganFind albums by this artist and drummer Gard NilssenFind albums by this artist. It is the first studio recording by the quartet, as the three previous albums, all released on the Polish For TuneFind albums on this label label, were live recordings. It is of course also the first album by the quartet released on the German ECMFind albums on this label label. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Obara and one (the title track) is a relatively infrequently recorded composition by the Godfather of Polish Jazz, Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in charge of the sonic quality. Obara´s numerous earlier recordings, including the three albums with the quartet present here, established his position on the Polish Jazz scene as a restless explorer, a rebel and a fearless avant-gardist, who constantly pushed the borders of contemporary Polish / European Jazz. These recordings were uncompromising, adventurous, soaked in free-form and Avant-Garde expressionism, and yet deeply rooted in the Jazz idiom´s tradition. The fact that this is a studio recording, as already mentioned above, and taking into account the decisive role of Manfred EicherFind albums by this artist, ECM´s supreme boss, who assumed the role of "musical producer" on this album, were obviously bound to have an effect on the outcome, but probably nobody could have imagined how dramatic the transformation was about to become. The album is clearly divided into two sections (sort of A / B sides of an LP), with the first section (first four tunes) presenting deeply melancholic and introvert music, nicely rounded melodically and harmonically, but alas somewhat pale and monotonous, and the second part (last three tunes) being more ambitious and vibrant, but still not up to par with Obara´s earlier recordings. Gone is the fire and brimstone and the Obara heard on this album is all gentleness and sweetness, delicately uttering lovable notes, who seems to have lost completely the identity he worked for years to establish. Is this the next stage of development for Obara and his quartet? Quite possibly, but his old identity will be sadly missed. But not everything is lost as far as this album is concerned. Wania manages to escape unspoiled and his work here is as brilliant as always, pure genius in fact. When he solos the music suddenly comes alive and sparks are flying. His brief interludes move elegantly into free-form, albeit briefly, finding the way back within a few bars. In many respects this album is as much Wania´s triumph as it is Obara´s underachievement. Sadly Wania´s brilliant work is not enough to save the album from the lethargic flow of "nice notes". The rhythm section is also excellent proving that playing in a much more relaxed environment is still within their capability and can be done intelligently and excitingly. And of course the sound quality is as heavenly as one might expect. I am deeply saddened by the fact that this, obviously flagship recording by Obara, turned out to be less than I´d have hoped for. I can only hope that everything will turn for the better in the future. Side Note: I have to admit that I was completely and utterly flabbergasted by the mass hysteria on the Polish Jazz scene surrounding the fact that this album was released on ECM. It is true that Obara is only the third Polish Jazz leader to have his album released by ECM (preceded by Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist and Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist), but what does it really mean? Firstly it means that Manfred Eicher is simply not familiar enough with the burgeoning Polish Jazz scene and its world class talented musicians. If he was familiar with them, he would have surely invited some of them to record for his label, especially in view of the fact that dozens of Polish Jazz albums released by small independent Polish labels are way more interesting and meaningful than most of ECM releases in the last couple of decades. Secondly it means that ECM is still considered by many people as a leading recording label, whereas in fact it lost its legendary status and influence many years ago. As pioneering and groundbreaking as the label was in the first couple of decades of its existence, bringing up scores of Jazz musicians to the attention of music connoisseurs, the label´s impact and leadership vastly diminished in time. Just ask yourself how many albums in the ECM catalogue do you know / own that were recorded in the 1970s / 1980s and how many albums you know / own that were recorded since 2000? Do the same with a list of recording artists who released albums on ECM in these two periods? The statistics are abundantly clear. And lastly it means that Polish Jazz scene is completely consumed with the inferiority complex that has always haunted it, looking somewhere else for excellence and example rather than paying tribute to its own Artists and showing them the appreciation they really deserve. Many Polish Jazz fans are still convinced that only Afro-American musicians can play Jazz and everything happening at home is secondary and meaningless, whereas in fact that is completely contrary to the truth.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 30/11/2017

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HILDEGUNN OISETH ~ TIME IS COMING LOSEN 142 (Barcode: 7090025831423) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the fourth album by the female Norwegian trumpeter Hildegunn OisethFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Espen BergFind albums by this artist, bassist Mats EilertsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Per Oddvar JohansenFind albums by this artist. Oiseth plays trumpet, flugelhorn and the bukkehorn (Billy goat horn, an instrument going as far back as the Vikings). The album presents eight original compositions, two each by Oiseth, Berg and Eilertsen, one by Johansen and the remaining one by yoiker (Google it up!) / musician Frode FjellheimFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded at the celebrated Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by the legendary Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The music is a wonderful Scandinavian flavored European Jazz, heavily influenced by folkloristic touches and deeply reflective. A trumpet quartet is one of the greatest minimalistic Jazz entities, and when it is at its best, it has but little competition. Although the music was composed by five separate individuals, it is beautifully cohesive and creates an amalgamated atmosphere of unity and aesthetic beauty, elegance and consistency. Oiseth´s playing is in many respects comparable to that of the Polish trumpet Master Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, emphasizing the expression rather than technical perfection. The slightly "dirty" tone, seemingly unstable during the vibrato notes, unites Oiseth with Stanko, which of course is meant as a compliment here. The bukkehorn parts, which sound a bit like oboe, are simply delightful and introduce another layer in the wondrous structure of this music. But of course the three other members of the quartet also contribute invaluably; Berg is the melodic essence, Eilertsen holds all the elements together with his pulsations and Johansen ornaments the proceedings delicately and sparingly, like only best of drummers do. This album offers the listener a spiritual experience, simply by overflowing all the senses, if allowed to do so. We can of course hear it, but it also touches our hearts, we can almost smell it, see the colors it paints in our mind and taste it in our mouth, not to mention the exhilaration of our intellect. It´s been a while since I heard music of such quality. This album easily stands shoulder to shoulder with the best European Jazz achievements released by the top record labels, like ECMFind albums on this label, both as far as the music quality is concerned and of course also as far as the recording quality, which in this case comes from the same source. It´s great to have labels like LosenFind albums on this label Records producing music of such quality, which make us all both proud and happy.

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

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SCHEEN JAZZORKESTER & JON OYSTEIN ROSLAND ~ TAMANOAR LOSEN 177 (Barcode: 7090025831775) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is the third album on the LosenFind albums on this label Records label by the twelve piece strong Norwegian ensemble called Scheen JazzorkesterFind albums by this artist, featuring the work of saxophonist / composer Jon Oystein RoslandFind albums by this artist, who is one of the orchestra´s members. The album presents ten compositions, which constitute a musical suite with a concept behind it, which is described in detail on the liner notes. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio, with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist presiding at the knobs, with the expected sensational sonic result. The music is a wonderful collection of compositions, which incorporate many diverse idioms amalgamated within an extraordinary Big Band / Orchestral Jazz environment. There are shades of World Music, contemporary Classical Music and of course Swing, exquisitely weaved together into a complex, but extremely elegant, coherent and beautiful musical world of its own. The orchestra performs the music with superb dedication and brilliant skills, even when the music is far for being straightforward. The dynamics of the entire ensemble and the individual solo parts are all beyond reproach, same as on the earlier albums by this ensemble. This music is the epitome of the European approach to Jazz, where the idiom´s tradition is there more "in spirit" rather than de facto, with a much liberal and universal treatment of the subject matter. As such it becomes multilayered and multi-genre, rich and highly developed. There is so much musical content in this music that only repeated listening session are able to expose all the intricacies. Overall this is a stunning (yet again) album, which places the Scheen Jazzorkester somewhere on the highest pedestal of the Jazz Big Band / Orchestra category. Hopefully this music will be able to reach a wider audience in time, as it deserves to be heard by all Jazz connoisseurs the world over. The ensemble´s work should also be taught in music schools, as a primary example of what can be achieved when a large group of musicians is at work in a symbiotic environment. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 08/11/2017Posted: 07/11/2017

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DAVID ARTHUR SKINNER ~ SKINNER PLAYS SKINNER LOSEN 171 (Barcode: 7090025831713) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the second solo piano album on the Norwegian LosenFind albums on this label Records by the British, resident in Norway, pianist / composer David Arthur SkinnerFind albums by this artist. The album, as the title suggests, presents ten original compositions by Skinner, which he, according to the liner notes, treats as if they were standards not written by him. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and was engineered Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, with spectacular sonic result. The music presents a diverse stylistic kaleidoscope of Jazz related sub-genres, which Skinner skillfully applies to his compositions, creating a wonderful, witty and graceful piece of music, which is a true delight to listen to from start to finish. Although technically brilliant, Skinner´s playing is first and foremost about the feel and the soul of the music. His playful touch on the keyboard is simply magical. There is not much more one can say about this album, other than invite everybody to get hold of a copy and enjoy. There are no false pretenses here, no theatrics and no show-off – simply just music, a rare approach these days and therefore even more welcome. Connoisseurs of piano Jazz in general and solo piano recordings in particular should find this album irresistible, entertaining and educational all at once. For the second time in a row Skinner wins using simplicity and honesty, two skills rarely used in Art these days! Well done indeed!

Updated: 16/05/2017Posted: 16/05/2017

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JOHN SURMAN ~ INVISIBLE THREADS ECM 2588 (Barcode: 602567113171) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is an album by iconic British Jazz saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with Brazilian pianist / composer Nelson AyresFind albums by this artist and American (resident in Norway) vibraphonist Rob WaringFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original compositions, all by Surman except one by Ayres. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and was engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. At the time of writing, this is the last album by Surman on the ECMFind albums on this label label, recorded almost five years ago. The music is almost a typical Surman signature, full of Nordic melancholy, British Folk references, highly lyrical and beautifully melodic. The minimalist trio format suits the music perfectly and the two companions are in complete blissful company with Surman’s long soprano and baritone saxophones and bass clarinet soli, which dominate the proceedings. The wonderfully serene atmosphere that prevails for the entire duration of the album is a soothing remedy for the dreadful noise that surrounds us in the contemporary life, and listening to this music is very much like a meditating session, which restores one’s balance. Surman is a brilliant composer and despite the fact that he recorded dozens of albums with his compositions, he manages to reinvent himself time after time, like a phoenix, fully ablaze in his Genius. Ayres, who is a brilliant pianist and a great composer / arranger, renowned for his Big Band recordings, stays very much in the background on this album, patiently and amicably accompanying Surman, who gets the spotlight, and the same can be said about Waring. The quite unusual sound of saxophone, piano and vibraphone / marimba proves to work out splendidly. Overall, this is another superb addition to Surman’s gorgeous recording legacy, which emphasizes his musical consequence and immense talents. For all his many followers, this is an absolute must have album, and needless to say we all hope for more albums to follow.

Updated: 27/03/2022Posted: 27/03/2022

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JOHN SURMAN ~ THE RAINBOW BAND SESSIONS LOSEN 105 (Barcode: 7090025831058) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 - 2007 Released: 2011 This is an album which never was meant to be… Legendary Norwegian sound engineer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, owner of the revered Rainbow Studio in Oslo and a Jazz musician of his own eight, suggested to the British Jazz colossus John SurmanFind albums by this artist to use some spare time in his studio for a series of informal "just for fun" meetings between Surman and local Jazz musicians. These sessions, which continued for several months, were also recorded, although never intended to be released. Eventually, however, the result turned out to be simply too good to remain forgotten, and this album lets us hear this beautiful music after all. The detailed story of these sessions is described by Surman in the album´s liner notes. Surman used these sessions to revisit the early days of his career, reviving and restoring several octet arrangements originating in the late 1960s, which were only partly saved. He also contacted his life-time "soul-mate", the brilliant composer / arranger John WarrenFind albums by this artist, who sent a bunch of his music to be used as well. Finally, of the eight tracks included on the album, four are by Warren, two are by Surman, one is by the pioneering British Jazz educator and pianist Eddie HarveyFind albums by this artist, written originally for the celebrated saxophonist Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, who was a member of Surman´s octet and the last is a Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist classic arranged by the great British saxophonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Alan CohenFind albums by this artist. As a result this album is not only a fantastic piece of music, but also a fine tribute to the history of British Jazz. Surman plays on all tracks, baritone or soprano saxophones (solos on four tracks), as is most of the rhythm section; the rest of the musicians fluctuate between two lineups. The important lesson, however, is how excellent all these players are, although most of them are very little known outside of their own country, which tells how exceptional the Norwegian Jazz in particular and the European Jazz in general are. The music and particularly the arrangements have a wonderfully nostalgic tinge to them, and yet sound completely contemporary and up to date. Although paying tribute to the early days of the modern British Jazz scene, it also conveys a clear message that Jazz genres and conventions are only secondary in the face of universally superb music, masterfully composed, skillfully arranged and brilliantly performed, with zest, elegance and above all love of the subject matter. So even if this album was never meant to be, it definitely defeats the original intention of staying beneath the surface and turns out to be another masterpiece, as everything that Surman touches, now for over five decades. With the 70th Birthday Celebration behind him, Surman continues relentlessly to make his mark on the Jazz idiom, being one of its most impressive champions. Definitely worth getting and for the numerous Surman fans this is an absolute must!

Updated: 11/02/2016Posted: 11/02/2016

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JOHN SURMAN ~ WORDS UNSPOKEN ECM 2789 (Barcode: 602458620351) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2024 This is a studio album by the iconic British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader John SurmanFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with British guitarist Rob LuftFind albums by this artist, American (resident in Norway) vibraphonist Rob WaringFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Thomas StronenFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo, engineered by Martin AbrahamsenFind albums by this artist, who replaced Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist following his demise. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are original compositions by Surman. The album reflects Surman’s long time connection with the Norwegian Jazz scene, not only as far as playing with Norwegian Jazz musicians and recording in Norway, but also his obvious affinity to the Nordic sound, which is particularly overwhelming on this album. The music is very melodic, but the compositions and instrumentations are minimalist, very subdued and reflective, creating a lethargic atmosphere, which is of course characteristic of the Nordic Jazz sound. But of course Surman’s recordings in the last couple of decades all had already this tendency, so the consequence is not very surprising. Surman is the dominating soloist and his absolute control of performance is phenomenal, completely untouched by the flow of time. The three accompanying musicians are masters of their trade, showing remarkable restrain and obvious respect towards the leader, leaving him in the spotlight at all time. Overall, this is another tour de force by the great Master, one of the greatest European Jazz musicians of all time, who seems to be unstoppable and still in perfect condition. We are extremely lucky to be able to enjoy the fruits of his labor for such a long period of time, and of course pray for more of such bliss to be sent upon us.

Updated: 20/04/2024Posted: 20/04/2024

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JOHN TAYLOR ~ ROSSLYN ECM 1751 (Barcode: 601215992427) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003 Despite the fact that British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist appears on dozens of albums released by the German ECMFind albums on this label label, this is the only one released under his name. Recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio setting with American bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Joey BaronFind albums by this artist. It is the trio’s only recording, captured at the fabulous Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, offering a stunning sound quality. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are original compositions by Taylor, one is by his lifetime brother in arms Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and finally one is a standard. The music presents mostly the poetic, deeply lyrical side of Taylor’s personality, both as composer and performer. The compositions are mostly melody based, but offer a long stretches of open space, which allow less rigor and allows creative freedom. Taylor is ab absolute focus of the album, with the rhythm section being utterly respective and restrained, accompanying the piano delicately, but with great thoughtfulness and taste. This approach adds to the delicate atmosphere, which is almost meditative at times, emphasizing the “less is more” approach. The album celebrated Taylor’s 60th birthday and was perhaps one of his most reflective moments in his long standing career, with every note perfectly articulated and the melodies full of the unique Englishness, which always characterized Taylor’s music. In retrospect it is definitely one of his best recordings of all time, and an absolute must in any decent British Jazz collection. Overall this is an absolute classic Jazz album in every respects and an absolute ultimate Jazz piano trio recording in many respects, which should serve as an example of what Jazz is all about, and the perfect combination of melody and freedom. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 02/04/2021Posted: 02/04/2021

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JOHN TAYLOR / JOHN SURMAN ~ AMBLESIDE DAYS AH UM 013 (Barcode: 5017771100223) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 Released: 1992 This is an insanely beautiful album by the duo of British Jazz Giants: pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist and saxophonist / clarinetist John SurmanFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Taylor. As if the presence of Taylor and Surman was not enough to make this album perfect, the music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo with the brilliant Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist at the helm, which results in a sublime sound quality and clarity. The music is everything one might expect from these two Masters; Taylor has been one of the greatest songweavers of British Jazz and the compositions present here are surely among his best ever. The intimate duos with Surman, who by playing the soprano and baritone saxophones and alto and bass clarinets is able to create a plethora of diverse moods and ambiences, which turn these pieces into fully developed musical vistas, which express a whole world of music despite the fact of being "just" duets. The telepathic conversations between Taylor and Surman are mind blowing and serve as a classic example of the "Art Of The Duo" idiom, which is one of the most challenging as much as rewarding Jazz environments. The album is sadly criminally obscure among the British Jazz fans and collectors. It was released on the short lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label founded by musician / producer Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist, which in the early 1990s released sixteen superb albums, all of which are treasures of the British Jazz legacy. Although quite difficult to find today, they are all worth pursuing and highly recommended. For Taylor and Surman connoisseurs this is of course an absolute must have, but all true Jazz lovers should find this an absolute masterpiece and an essential part of any serious European Jazz collection. Side Note British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.

Updated: 11/02/2025Posted: 30/03/2019

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RALPH TOWNER ~ SOLSTICE ECM 1060 (Barcode: 602517758575) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1974 Released: 2008 This is a reissue of the 3rd solo album by American guitarist / pianist / composer Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with European musicians: Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, German bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven composed by Towner and one by Weber. The music was recorded at the legendary Arne BendiksenFind albums by this artist Studio in Oslo, often called the birthplace of ECMFind albums on this label, with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist presiding behind the console. Kongshaug was the manager and chief sound engineer of the studio between 1967 and 1974, and he is the creator of the iconic “ECM sound” of the early ECM releases. The music is absolutely magnificent, a sophisticated mixture of influences from different World Music traditions, Scandinavian melancholy and Jazz improvisation, exquisitely performed by these Master musicians. In parallel to his solo recordings, Towner was of course a member of the legendary OregonFind albums by this artist quartet, which created music somewhat similar to what can be heard here, but the European / Nordic influences are much stronger on this album, taking the music into another “orbit”. Recorded in December of 1974 (50 years ago!), this music is light-years ahead of its time, and reflects the enormous influence that the early ECM albums had both on European and much later also on American Jazz. The incredible freedom the musicians were allowed to pursue, unrestricted by any commercial considerations, created an atmosphere of unlimited creativity, experimentation and milestone development of contemporary music, which lasted for a couple of decades, making a lasting impact, and which ripples can be felt even today. Towner’s extensive recorded legacy, which spans well over fifty albums as leader and sideman, is a treasure trove of brilliant music and his integrity and immense talent never failed him over the years. I feel privileged for having the opportunity to meet him in person and even having him as a guest in my home. Overall, this is an absolutely everlasting gem of an album, which stands as a beacon of the early ECM recordings, full of brilliant and touching music, counting every second of its duration. It should be a part of every decent album collection, reaching far beyond any genre classification – it is simply Godly music.

Updated: 17/01/2025Posted: 17/01/2025

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Essential Recommend To A Friend

TSABROPOULOS / ANDERSEN / MARSHALL ~ ACHIRANA ECM 1728 (Barcode: 602448279248) ~ GREECE ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 2022 This is a reissue of a wonderful album by a trio consisting of Greek Jazz pianist / composer Vassilis TsabropoulosFind albums by this artist, Norwegian Jazz bassist / composer Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist and British Jazz drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, five composed by Tsabropoulos, two composed by Andersen and two co-composed by all three musicians. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by my Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, with the usual sublime sound quality. The music is all beautifully melodic and lyrical, brilliantly performed by these Giant musicians. This is the 1st album recorded by this trio, followed by the no less beautiful “The TriangleFind albums with this title”, originally released in 2004. Tsabropoulos, who emerged as a Classical pianist, turns out to be a most sensitive Jazz musician, with wonderful improvisational qualities. Andersen, one of my favorite bass magicians on this planet, displays his usual qualities, which are simply breathtaking. Marshall, the veteran of British / European Jazz scene since the 1960s, was at the time still one of the best drummers around, here sticking mostly to the “less is more” approach. Overall, this is an absolutely “classic” Jazz piano trio album, which deserves an honorary place on the shelf of the “best ever” recordings in that niche. Lovers of the Artistry of Bill EvansFind albums by this artist should be especially interested, as Tsabropoulos has often a very similar touch and style to the American Giant. Criminally overlooked and absolutely essential Piano trio album, which should not be missed by anybody, who calls himself a Jazz lover!

Updated: 05/08/2024Posted: 05/08/2024

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EBERHARD WEBER ~ THE FOLLOWING MORNING ECM 1084 (Barcode: 602567431015) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2019 This is the 3rd album as a leader by German bassist / composer Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist, recorded with keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist and members of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. The album presents four tracks, all composed by Weber. The music was recorded at the Talent Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. Weber is one of the most distinctive European Jazz voices and his inimitable bass sound and phrasing remains a classic expression of European lyricism and aesthetics, especially in the Chamber Jazz idiom, which combines Jazz and Classical music vocabulary and sonic aura. The music develops slowly and builds up a feeling of tension and expectation, with Weber’s bass soloing on top, creating a unique atmosphere, often similar to cinematic music, somewhere between Minimalism and Romanticism. But it always remains uniquely Weber’s, recognizable easily from his idiosyncratic touch of the bass and the use of delay and reverb when amplifying the instrument. Weber’s recording with his brilliant ColoursFind albums by this artist ensemble is the more Jazz oriented facet of his work, whereas his intimate albums, mostly in solo or duo format, are his Chamber Jazz creations. Of course, he is always brilliantly himself. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of music and a true European Chamber Jazz gem, worth being listened to and returning to from time to time. Weber’s collective recorded legacy, both as a leader and sideman, is true chest of wonders, as this album clearly exemplifies.

Updated: 21/02/2024Posted: 21/02/2024

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JACOB YOUNG ~ FOREVER YOUNG ECM 2366 (Barcode: 602537688968) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is the 6th album as a leader (3rd on ECMFind albums on this label) by Norwegian guitarist / composer Jacob YoungFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with Norwegian saxophonist Trygve SeimFind albums by this artist and a Polish rhythm section of pianist Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, collectively known as Marcin Wasilewski TrioFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all original compositions by Young. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by my late Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, offering a spectacular sound quality, as expected. The music is beautifully melodic, almost romantic, flowing gently and being a classic illustration of the Nordic Jazz sound. Although Young is undoubtedly the leader of this recording, he is certainly happy to share the spotlight with Seim and Wasilewski, who share at least as much if not more of the soloing duties with the leader. The Polish rhythm section is absolutely perfect for this music, as Wasilewski is a Master of romantic / lyrical expression, as evident on his numerous recordings with this trio. Strangely / sadly it took a whole decade for Young to record his next solo album “EventuallyFind albums with this title” to follow this one. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of Norwegian Jazz, which after all is still very much associated with the Nordic Jazz idiom, going back to the early Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist recordings, which influenced generations to come. Exquisite performances by all the musicians, beautiful compositions and crystal clear sound combined, create a classic modern Jazz album with a pinch of Nordic cool and Polish warmth.

Updated: 27/01/2024Posted: 27/01/2024

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