Record Reviews

EIK TRIO ~ TRUST LOSEN 276 (Barcode: 7090025832765) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by Norwegian Jazz Eik TrioFind albums by this artist, comprising of pianist / arranger Ole Fredrik NorbyeFind albums by this artist, vocalist Elisabeth KarstenFind albums by this artist and bassist John Borge AskelandFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Bendik HofsethFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks and trumpeter Nils Petter MolvaerFind albums by this artist and accordionist Heine BuggeFind albums by this artist guest on one track each. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are arrangements of well-known standards. On the face of it, the album seems completely uninteresting: once more an album of standards that we all heard thousands of times before. Therefore, the surprise when the album starts to play is pretty shocking, as these standards have been metamorphosed in a completely unusual way, mostly by radically slowing the usual tempo at which they are usually performed, which offers a completely new impression. On their new form, the songs are beautifully performed by the trio, with the vocals sung in English with a slight foreign accent, which here becomes sort of cute, and superb piano accompaniment and steady, very delicate but perfectly accurate bass pulsations. The guests add a little glamor and atmosphere to the proceedings, but are not really necessary beyond adding some known names on the cover. Overall, this is a charming little album, delicate and cute but also exceedingly intelligent and unconventional, which for people who thought that they have already heard everything could come as a huge surprise. This is absolutely essential stuff for students and teachers of Jazz vocals. Well done and thanks to the LosenFind albums on this label label for releasing this little charming gem!

Updated: 05/04/2023Posted: 05/04/2023

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