Record Reviews

ANDREAS LOVEN ~ DISTRICT SIX LOSEN 152 (Barcode: 7090025831522) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the second album by Norwegian (currently residing in South Africa) pianist / composer Andreas LovenFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic Jazz quartet setting with three native South African musicians: saxophonist Buddy WellsFind albums by this artist, (female) bassist Romy BrautesethFind albums by this artist and drummer Clement BennyFind albums by this artist. The album consists of nine original compositions, all by Loven. The album is dedicated to the Cape Town´s "District Six" community, which symbolized the spirit of possible coexistence in South Africa, but was demolished during the 1970s by the apartheid regime. The music is beautifully melodic and well within the mainstream Jazz idiom. Contrary to the expectations, it sounds very European, even Scandinavian most of the time, displaying only subtle African influences. This of course does not harm in any way the beauty of this music, but is simply, as mentioned above, somewhat unexpected. The most surprising element of this album is the exceptional level of playing displayed here. All four musicians play gracefully, elegantly and sympathetically towards each other. Loven plays the piano with gentle touches, full of lyricism and melancholy. Wells follows the great tradition of seductive saxophone, with long vibrato lines and heartbreaking charm, Brauteseth plucks the bass with sheer virtuosity and incredible feel of both melody and rhythm, and finally Benny keeps his pulsations well in the background in order not to disturb the overall delicate approach, and is more upfront only when it is completely appropriate, showing a remarkable respect so rarely met in drummers. To avoid any misunderstandings, the fact that this music is subtle and melodic does not mean that it is in any way trivial. These tunes are all excellently woven, structured and performed, and the tranquility, so rarely present in today´s music, is exactly what this music needs. In our daily hectic life pressured by the aggressive deafening media, music like this one is an oasis if sanity and tranquility. Fans of melodic, Scandinavian Jazz, should have a field day with this album, but basically there is so much excellent music herein that every Jazz connoisseur should be able to bond with it. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 11/02/2016Posted: 11/02/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ANDREAS LOVEN ~ NANGIJALA LOSEN 135 (Barcode: 7090025831355) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Norwegian pianist / composer Andreas LovenFind albums by this artist, recorded while he lived in South Africa, created in an intimate duo setting with local saxophonist Buddy WellsFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Spha MdlaloseFind albums by this artist is featured on a couple of tracks and contributed the lyrics to the song she performs. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which are original compositions by Loven and one is a composition by the Danish composer Bent Fabricius-BjerreFind albums by this artist. The music is beautifully melodic and lyrical, even melancholic at times, which is often the case with musicians originating in the Scandinavian countries. Loven did not yet immerse himself at this point into the riches of the South African ethnic experience, and therefore this music is still very much European, but it does show some subtle World Music influences. Loven plays wonderfully from start to finish, keeping the music swinging and floating gently. Wells adds his excellent saxophone contributions, playing fluidly and in perfect harmony with Loven, creating together in intimate, highly emotional aesthetic environments, which in often minimal sonically but full of graceful music. Obviously the "less is more" method wins again. The two vocal tracks are both excellent. Mdlalose sings a superb vocalese on one track and conventional lyrics on the other, and they are definitely like a proverbial cherry on top of the cake. I´d love to hear more from her. The album has a wonderful sound quality, warm and embracing, which will surely put a wide smile on the faces of people who enjoy exquisite Hi-Fi results, those in addition of course to the great musical contents. Overall this is a very impressive debut recording, which promises good things to come in the future. Delicate, gentle and highly aesthetic and of course warmly recommended!

Updated: 21/03/2016Posted: 21/03/2016

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend