Record Reviews

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

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

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