Record Reviews

FRODE KJEKSTAD ~ A PIECE OF THE APPLE LOSEN 178 (Barcode: 7090025831782) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Soul Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2017 This is an album by Norwegian guitarist / composer Frode KjekstadFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with American saxophonist Eric AlexanderFind albums by this artist, organist Mike LeDonneFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe FarnsworthFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, four of which are original compositions by Kjekstad and five are standards. The music is a retro Soul / Blues / Jazz bordering on Smooth Jazz session, very well played but lacking challenge or innovation. Nevertheless it is a very enjoyable listen, especially due to Kjekstad´s excellent guitar work, which is definitely worth hearing. His style fits the musical environment of this album ideally and brings fond memories of some great Jazz guitar players from the 1950s and 1960s, like Barney KesselFind albums by this artist, Herb EllisFind albums by this artist and others. LeDonne´s organ work is also nothing short of pure bliss. The instrumentation featuring three lead instruments (organ, saxophone and guitar) opens up the soloing opportunities and creates a wonderful nostalgic warm sound, which is great fun to listen to, especially to the elders of the tribe like yours truly. Overall a very enjoyable and pleasurable album, which is accessible to a very wide Jazz and beyond audience, which presents superb instrumental work and successfully avoids the muzak trap, but remains open to people who listen to Jazz for fun!

Updated: 15/07/2017Posted: 15/07/2017

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