Record Reviews
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  | TORD GUSTAVSEN ~ BEING THERE
ECM 2017 (Barcode: 602517235175) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007
This is the third album on the ECMFind albums on this label label by the Norwegian pianist / composer Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist and the last recording with his trio with bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jarle VespestadFind albums by this artist, which recorded also the two albums preceding this one. The album includes thirteen relatively short compositions, all by Gustavsen, which could be perceived as a continuous suite.
The music, which represents the Nordic Jazz idiom perfectly, is deeply lyrical, melancholic and laid-back, often quite introvert and somewhat dark, but always beautiful and delightful. The decision to include many different melodic themes enhances the overall effect of this album, as such somber music can easily become overbearing and remote itself from the listener. The trio performs perfectly, as always, with elegance, flair and dedication.
Listeners familiar with the earlier albums by this trio will surely enjoy this one as well, as it continues the same musical direction and sustains the same excellent level of composition and execution. Jazz piano trio connoisseurs will absolutely love this stuff of course. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | TORD GUSTAVSEN ~ CHANGING PLACES
ECM 1834 (Barcode: 044001639722) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2001 - 2002 Released: 2003
This is the 1st album on the prestigious ECMFind albums on this label label by Norwegian pianist / composer Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist. Recorded in a trio format with bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jarle VespestadFind albums by this artist this most impressive debut includes music, all composed by Gustavsen, which is absolutely brilliant in its typical Nordic way; relaxed, romantic, lyrical and beautifully melodic. Rather than dwelling in extended improvisations the album presents thirteen relatively short pieces, all of which are based on a beautiful melody line, which serves as a basis of sonic excursions. The trio performs superbly together, with the bass playing an important role and soloing extensively and the drummer fulfills the blanks and silences in between. Although some listeners might find the Nordic music "cold", this is a complete nonsense, and careful listening will eventually disclose the passionate nature of this music, beneath the stern exterior. Absolutely brilliant stuff and a major new voice!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | TORD GUSTAVSEN ~ THE GROUND
ECM 1892 (Barcode: 028947619383) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004
This is the 2nd album on the prestigious ECMFind albums on this label label by Norwegian pianist / composer Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist. Recorded in a trio format, same as the debut, with bassist Harald JohnsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jarle VespestadFind albums by this artist this most impressive follow up includes music, all composed by Gustavsen, which is absolutely brilliant in its typical Nordic way; relaxed, romantic, lyrical and beautifully melodic. Rather than dwelling in extended improvisations the album presents twelve relatively short pieces, all of which are based on a beautiful melody line, which serves as a basis of sonic excursions. The trio performs superbly together, with the bass playing an important role and soloing extensively and the drummer fulfills the blanks and silences in between. Although some listeners might find the Nordic music "cold", this is a complete nonsense, and careful listening will eventually disclose the passionate nature of this music, beneath the stern exterior. Absolutely brilliant stuff and a major new voice!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | TORD GUSTAVSEN ~ THE WELL
ECM 2237 (Barcode: 602527858968) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2012
This is the 5th album on the prestigious ECMFind albums on this label label by Norwegian pianist / composer Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist. His first three albums were recorded in a trio format, the fourth by an ensemble (quintet with a new bassist, saxophonist and female vocalist) and this album returns to the classic quartet format with saxophonist Tore BrunborgFind albums by this artist, bassist Mats EilertsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jarle VespestadFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Gustavsen, is absolutely brilliant in its typical Nordic way; relaxed, romantic, lyrical and beautifully melodic. The quartet performs superbly, with the saxophonist often sounding like Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, and the rhythm session subtly fulfilling the blanks and silences in between. Although some listeners might find the Nordic music "cold", this is a complete nonsense, and careful listening will eventually disclose the passionate nature of this music, beneath the stern exterior. Absolutely brilliant stuff!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | ANNA MARIA JOPEK ~ DWA SERDUSZKA CZTERY OCZY
UNIVERSAL 602517947825 (Barcode: 602517947825) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2005 - 2008 Released: 2008
This phenomenal Box Set, or rather book set, combines three albums by Polish vocalist / songwriter Anna Maria JopekFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. AMJFind albums by this artist), recorded over a period of several years in the mid 2000s. It includes the album "IDFind albums with this title", a CD full of demos and outtakes which did not make it to be included on "ID" and the live album "JO & COFind albums by this artist". Together these three CDs summarize the "ID" period, which was a groundbreaking step in AMJ´s development as an artist. Packaged with a marvelous book full of black & white photographs of AMJ and the participating musicians, elegantly designed and exquisitely printed, this is a piece of Art in every sense of the word.
Surrounded by a group of wonderful musicians form Poland and the world over she performs mostly self-written songs, mixing Jazz and World Music with the typical Polish melodic / lyrical atmosphere, which dominates the proceedings. The list of world famous musicians participating on "ID" is most impressive and includes saxophonist Branford MarsalisFind albums by this artist, bassists Christian McBrideFind albums by this artist and Richard BonaFind albums by this artist, drummer Manu KatchéFind albums by this artist, percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist, oud player / vocalist Dhafer YoussefFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist Oscar Castro NevesFind albums by this artist and pianist Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist. Polish musicians include keyboardist Pawel Bzim ZareckiFind albums by this artist, guitarists Marcin KydrynskiFind albums by this artist and Marek NapiorkowskiFind albums by this artist, pianist Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Robert MajewskiFind albums by this artist, pianist / arranger Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, who is in charge of the string quartet and orchestral arrangements (performed by the Sinfonia VivaFind albums by this artist Orchestra). The live album includes also organist Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Henryk MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Robert KubiszynFind albums by this artist and drummer Pawel DobrowolskiFind albums by this artist.
The music presents a complex panorama of sounds and ideas, which include many cross-genre excursions, vocal experiments, poetic vistas and intimate dialogs between the Artist and the world that surrounds her. AMJ has one of the sweetest voices on this planet and her big artistry is all about not to make sugary music, which would be quite natural for many other singers. She also has an incredible sense of rhythm in general and Jazzy swing in particular, which is quite rare. Her affinity to music originating beyond her native Polish / European sphere of influence is also quite remarkable. All these, combined with her unique expressionism as a singer and delicate, elegant, intricate vocal delivery make her one of my favorite singers of all times.
AMJ enjoys a superstar status in Poland, which usually is a sign of tasteless commercialism and total lack of any artistic values. Her ability to be extremely popular and at the same time produce first class music is therefore especially impressive. Although some snobbish Jazz circles in her country deem her commercial and populist, this is simply completely unjustified and probably a sign of narrow-mindedness if not worse. I find it hard to believe that anybody listening to this music would feel anything but total admiration, as it is simply perfect.
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 3 Box Set Recommend To A Friend |
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