Record Reviews

ORJAN HULTEN / ORION ~ FALTRAPPORT ARTOGRUSH 010 (Barcode: 7350051972324) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the third album by Swedish saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist and his quartet OrionFind albums by this artist, which also includes pianist Adam ForkelidFind albums by this artist, bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter DanemoFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Hulten, two of which are combined into a two-part mini-suite. The music is typical contemporary European Jazz, melody based but with enough intrinsic space to allow for extensive improvisations and mood and tempi changes, all within one tune. The compositions are versatile both harmonically and rhythmically, which makes this album a breeze to listen to, as things keep happening all the time, keeping the listener on his toes. Swedish Jazz, although definitely originating in Scandinavia, is usually not characterized by the so called Scandinavian sound, full of melancholy and dreamy sound vistas. As this album proves, the Swedes were always closer to the American Jazz tradition, which they of course domesticated in their own way. There are some obvious World Music influences present here as well, which make things even more interesting. All four quartet members are excellent instrumentalists, which is evident both from their individual solo spots and the collective playing. Hulten plays some mean soprano parts, which could easily put a snake in a trance. Forkelid solos extensively and each of his solos displays another layer of his multifaceted talent. Augustson is a very powerful bassist, with a wonderfully warm tone and a virtuosic ability to keep the pulse going and finally Danemo very intelligently cements the grooves with his energetic but nonintrusive beats. Overall this is a delightful album from start to finish, sometimes groovy, sometimes reflective but always meticulously woven and executed. The music, although far from being trivial, sounds very easy and accessible, which of course is the optimal state of affairs for a Jazz album. Well done indeed and wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 06/07/2016Posted: 05/03/2016

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ORJAN HULTEN / ORION ~ LIBERIA BALLAD ARTOGRUSH 013 (Barcode: 5902693142690) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is the fifth album by Swedish saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist and his OrionFind albums by this artist quartet, which also includes pianist Torbjorn GulzFind albums by this artist, bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter DanemoFind albums by this artist. Liberian vocalist Ernie BruceFind albums by this artist guest on the album and contributed the lyrics of the songs he performs. The album presents nine original compositions, five by Gulz, and two each by Hulten and Bruce. The album was recorded following the visit by the quartet in Liberia and meeting Bruce there. The music is obviously influenced to some degree by African motifs, but continues the path established by the earlier recordings of modern European Jazz, based on solid melodic themes, which serve as basis for the improvisations. The vocals are a new element and bring the music somewhat closer to the tradition, but do not change the quartet´s modus operandi of basic aesthetics dramatically. All four instrumentalists are experienced players and their performances are, as expected, perfect for the occasion. Both Hulten and Gulz offer superb soloing and the rhythm section drives the music forward with grace and effectiveness, also adding solo parts. The vocals are in a way less professional, but charming in their natural way and perfectly acceptable. The lengthy suite, which combines free improvisation and narration, and later develops into a blues, is very original and is one of the most interesting moments on the album. Overall this is an excellent album, which offers a genuine Jazz experience full of heartfelt musical statements, which should keep every Jazz connoisseur perfectly happy. As usual, wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 25/05/2020Posted: 25/05/2020

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ORJAN HULTEN / ORION ~ MINUSGRADER ARTOGRUSH 012 (Barcode: 6420114013354) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the fourth album by the Swedish saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist and his OrionFind albums by this artist quartet, which also includes pianist Torbjorn GulzFind albums by this artist (a new member of the quartet), bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter DanemoFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, three of which were composed by Hulten and two each by the remaining members of the quartet. The album celebrates the first decade of the quartet´s activity. The music remains faithful to the quartet´s past recordings, presenting melodic contemporary mainstream Jazz, with superbly crafted compositions and excellent performances. Clearly all four musicians are gifted composers and the tunes flow elegantly one after another, keeping the listener on his toes. Stylistically the music is closer to American Jazz than to the European aesthetics, which is hardly surprising since Swedish Jazz was always closer to the American roots than the rest of the Old Continent. Hulten, as always, charms the listener with his smooth tone and romanticism, carefully avoiding falling into the Smooth Jazz trap and proving not only his proficiency but also his inventiveness. Gulz flawlessly fills the piano chair, providing perfect harmonic accompaniment and wonderful soloing, which compliments Hulten´s playing perfectly. Augustson keeps the pulse of the music going steady and solos brilliantly and finally Danemo keeps the rhythmic layer ticking like clockwork, always delicately behind the rest of the players, strong enough to be felt but never being in the way. Overall this is again a wonderfully delightful album, which is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish, and which proves that mainstream Jazz is still a valid idiom in the hands of great musicians playing music by gifted composers. Definitely well done and warmly recommended!

Updated: 23/05/2019Posted: 23/05/2019

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ORJAN HULTEN / ORION ~ MR NOBODY ARTOGRUSH 009 (Barcode: 7350051971297) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the second album by Swedish Jazz saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist and his quartet called OrionFind albums by this artist, which also includes pianist Adam ForkelidFind albums by this artist, bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter DanemoFind albums by this artist. It presents nine original compositions, six of which were composed by Hulten, one by Danemo, another one by Forkelid and the remaining one is credited to all four members of the quartet, and is a freely improvised piece. The title track appears three times and although these tracks are not placed consecutively on the album, they tell a story when combined into a mini-suite, which I can only assume talks about the estrangement of a person in big US cities like NY and Boston. Perhaps even the entire album is a "concept" piece around that theme, judging by the compositions´ titles. The music is based on wonderful melodic themes, which are then expanded by lengthy improvisations into typical contemporary European Jazz, full of elegance and beautiful flow. The listener is immediately immersed in that flow and finds it impossible to let go until the last tone of the music disappear into the silence. Most of the music falls within the mainstream Jazz idiom, except for the freely improvised piece, which is of course the most adventurous piece of music on this album. Hopefully more of such exploration will be utilized by the quartet at some later time. But there is a large degree of freedom and space in the composed music as well, which allows for highly interesting soloing and fascinating group interplay in the process. The individual contributions by the quartet members are all beyond reproach: Hulten and Forkelid both play formidable solos repeatedly and the rhythm section supports them amicably and skillfully. The entire quartet sounds like an organic music-making entity, closely knit by mutual respect and common desire to make music, which sadly is not always the case. Overall this is a gorgeous, cohesive, perfectly executed and wonderfully recorded piece of European Jazz, which should win over even the most scrupulous connoisseurs. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 01/07/2016Posted: 25/03/2016

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ORJAN HULTEN / ORION ~ RADIO IN MY HEAD ARTOGRUSH 007 (Barcode: 7350051970535) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 This is the debut album by Swedish Jazz saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist and his quartet called OrionFind albums by this artist, which also includes pianist Adam ForkelidFind albums by this artist, bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter DanemoFind albums by this artist. It presents ten original compositions, nine of which were composed by Hulten and one is credited to all four members of the quartet, and is a freely improvised piece. Hulten wrote a short story, compiled of the compositions´ titles and printed on the cover, which perhaps indicates that the entire album is a "concept" piece around the theme of the album´s title, which seems to be a modus operandi Hulten was about to repeat on his next album as well. From the very first notes on this album it becomes immediately apparent that Hulten is a composer to be reckoned with, judging by the quality of the beautiful music included here. Strongly based on delightful melodic themes, these compositions are remarkably open, allowing for extensive improvising by the quartet members, which sounds completely natural and integrated within the structure of the music. Characteristic of modern European Jazz, this music proposes an ideal formula for amalgamating the Jazz tradition with a much more advanced approach to composition and improvisation. All four members of the quartet are also superb instrumentalists, with highly developed Jazz aesthetics, which allows them to present a diverse set of musical approaches, and above all cooperate between themselves at all times. Although Hulten and Forkelid carry most of the soloing duties, the rhythm section is an integral part of the music and their contributions are invaluable. This album has a wonderful natural flow from start to finish, regardless if the music swings like a metronome or floats freely between the notes. Overall this is a superb album in every respect and a stunning debut effort (for this quartet not for Hulten who has been recording as a leader since 2002), which deserves to be heard by all Jazz connoisseurs. At the time of writing the quartet released two subsequent albums, both of which are exceptional, and hopefully will continue to create excellent music again. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 06/07/2016Posted: 09/04/2016

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ORJAN HULTEN / ORION ~ SHIFTING GROUND PROPHONE 308 (Barcode: 822359003309) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the sixth album by Swedish Jazz saxophonist / composer Orjan HultenFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet called OrionFind albums by this artist, which includes also pianist Torbjorn GulzFind albums by this artist, bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter DanemoFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, one by Hulten, two by Gulz, three by Augustson and two by Danemo. The music is all within modern mainstream Jazz, based on solid, mostly very lyrical and melodic compositions, elegantly performed by the quartet. The “democratic” decision to allow all members of the quartet to offer their compositions pays off, as those are of the highest standard. The performances are also excellent, with Hulten displaying his highly polished saxophone fluidity, Gulz full of melancholy and tender piano phrasing and the rhythm section being highly supportive at all times. Overall, this is a very pleasant, elegant and delicate album, almost romantic at times, which offers a great listening experience away from the noise and tumult that surrounds us most of the time. With the excellent sound quality and superb performances, it is an island of sanity and pure unadulterated satisfaction. Well done!

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

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VIVA BLACK / GRETLI & HEIDI ~ MAL SIRINE KOPASETIC 052 (Barcode: 7320470224397) ~ SWEDEN ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the third album by the Swedish trio Viva BlackFind albums by this artist led by bassist / composer Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist, which also includes violinist Eva LindalFind albums by this artist and drummer Christopher CantilloFind albums by this artist. On this album they also invited the Swedish duo Gretli & HeidiFind albums by this artist, i.e. Catharina BackmanFind albums by this artist and Carin BlomFind albums by this artist, who play glass harp, glass bells and bowls, bottles and perform vocalese. The album presents eight compositions, three composed by Augustson, three others by Backman, one by Blom and one is by the Swedish drummer / composer Peter DanemoFind albums by this artist. The music is quite consistent with the trio´s output, as documented on their two previous albums: "Viva BlackFind albums with this title" and "Minsta Gemensamma NamnarenFind albums with this title", mixing Jazz, Improvised Music and contemporary Chamber Classical music. On this album the participation of Backman and Blom expand the milieu to include also World Music and Ambient elements. As always, the music is complex and multilayered, requiring a very attentive listening and total involvement from the listener, but the depth of the music and its unique aesthetics are deeply rewarding and fascinating. The innovative approach to music, the sublime dynamics and the constant search for new elements of expression make this music alive and soaring, even if most of the time it is very intimate, subdued and minimalistic. The individual performances are, again as usual, exceptional, with Augustson´s bass driving the music steadily, while Lindal is free to play the themes and improvisations and Cantillo to play around with the pulsations. Backman and Blom add ambient sonic vistas and percussive tones, as well as human voice to the mix, which altogether works wonderfully. More importantly the balance and interplay of the entire quintet is also achieved perfectly, The music of Viva Black is slowly creating a unique niche within the Avant-Garde Jazz – Classical Fusion and the fact that the trio managed to release three consistently excellent albums in a row makes them one of the most interesting phenomena of the sub-genre. One can only hope they will be back soon with some more of their musical magic. Personally I can’t wait to hear more of it!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 30/09/2017

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