Record Reviews

SONDRE FERSTAD ENSEMBLE ~ MINIMAL AMP 029 (Barcode: 662578831235) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by the Norwegian ensemble led by harmonica player / composer Sondre FerstadFind albums by this artist, which is a double quartet (or an octet) combining a Jazz quartet and a Classical string quartet. The Jazz quartet includes also pianist Vegard Lien BjerkanFind albums by this artist, bassist Morten Berger StaiFind albums by this artist and drummer Wilhelm WestermanFind albums by this artist. A guest percussionist plays on two tracks. The album presents ten original pieces, all composed by Ferstad, three of which are variation on the same theme. Although originally conceived as a purely musical endeavor, the music became a part of a Jazz & Poetry project including poems written to accompany the music by poet Lars Saabye ChristensenFind albums by this artist – a rather unusual development as Jazz & Poetry projects usually have music written around poems and not vice versa like in this case. The album presents only the music. The music is highly original in many respects: The harmonica is rarely used as the leading instrument in Jazz (or any other music in fact), a double quartet is also a pretty rare lineup, but most importantly the compositions by Ferstad, which are an exquisite example of contemporary European Jazz, which recognizes no boundaries or stylistic limitations and is open to every form of intellectual pollination. The title is somewhat misleading as the music is only partly minimalist, often exploring strong melodic themes and sophisticated arrangements. But the element of minimalism is certainly present in the execution layer, when the Jazz quartet improvises using notes sparingly. Of course the influence of contemporary Classical music is felt strongly and becomes even dominant at some moments. Long parts of the music flow very slowly and require patience and persistence, but they are a part of a natural flow, which eventually embraces with its emotional radiance. Overall this is a wonderful serving of highly aesthetic and simulating music, which absorbs the listener completely but requires attentive listening and open-minded approach. Serious music connoisseurs will find here many elements of musical delight and a constant source of discovery with each consecutive listening session. This album is definitely one of the most interesting pieces of music that arrived on my desk this year (2018) and the fact that it was released by the small independent Norwegian label AMPFind albums on this label Music proves that great music can by created anywhere and that big record companies have absolutely no artistic advantage over the struggling but persistent independents, as music is after all first and foremost about individuality. Hats off!

Updated: 05/10/2018Posted: 04/10/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

SOFT FFOG ~ SOFT FFOG IS IT JAZZ? 230 (Barcode: 7090008312307) ~ NORWAY ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by Norwegian quartet Soft FfogFind albums by this artist, comprising of guitarist Tom HasslanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vegard Lien BjerkanFind albums by this artist, bassist Trond FronesFind albums by this artist and drummer Axel SkalstadFind albums by this artist. The album presents four lengthy tracks, all composed by Hasslan, timing altogether just over half an hour – not really a full album but rather an EP. The album is the first release on the Is It Jazz?Find albums on this label Records, a division of KarismaFind albums on this label Records. The music is straightforward Hard Rock, based mostly on the guitar work of Hasslan, with steady rhythm section pulse and minimal keyboards background support, mostly inaudible when the guitar is playing but can heard when the keyboard player is soloing, supported by the rhythm section alone. I am the last person dealing with labeling music, but I suppose that the label’s name (question mark included), is a kind of irony, as this music has very little to do with Jazz, if anything at all, which of course is perfectly ok. However, the real problem is that the compositions are really pretty sketchy and the lengthy improvisations don’t really go anywhere. Following fifty plus years of electric guitar explorations, it is extremely difficult to be able to demonstrate anything innovative in that area, and this music certainly doesn’t even come close to it. But it is definitely loud enough. Overall, this is a pretty mundane Hard Rock album, with limited melody content and overlong guitar solos, that become hard to bear as the album progresses. Not my cup of tea, but perhaps some guitar freaks might find something here to like. Good luck!

Updated: 10/04/2022Posted: 10/04/2022

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend