Record Reviews

JAN GUNNAR HOFF ~ JAN GUNNAR HOFF GROUP FEATURING MIKE STERN LOSEN 196 (Barcode: 7090025831966) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by the excellent Norwegian trio led by pianist / composer Jan Gunnar HoffFind albums by this artist with bassist Per MathisenFind albums by this artist and drummer Audun KleiveFind albums by this artist, expanded to a quartet with the addition of the American guitar hero Mike SternFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, five by Hoff and three by Stern (originating from his solo recordings). The music is superbly recorded and offers a spectacular sound quality and clarity. The music is a wonderfully melodic amalgam of Scandinavian moods, Fusion and Progressive Rock nostalgic vistas, which flows smoothly from one tune to the next like a gentle breeze over a fjord. The well crafted tunes are ideal vehicles for all the musicians to show their talents and the album offers an intimate opportunity to hear the individual performances by four first class musicians. Stern´s playing on this album deserves a special attention, as it is quite different from what can be heard on his numerous recordings to date. It seems to be much more delicate and gentler than before, perhaps an effect of the time passing by or just the atmosphere and the musicians involved in this project. One thing is sure; it is definitely some of the finest guitar artistry ever produced by Stern over time. Hoff is not only a prolific composer and recording artist but also a virtuoso keyboard player, able to create a palette of moods and sound vistas which are both intelligent and sophisticated and at the same time accessible to a large audience. His musical approach has a nostalgic (in the best meaning of the word) tinge to it, fondly resembling the great Prog / Rock / Fusion keyboardists of the late 1960s / early 1970s. Mathisen is a Monster bassist, considered as one of the top electric bass players today, who leads his own projects and is a renowned composer as well, being a great representative of Norwegian music worldwide. His playing on this album represents his gentler, more relaxed character, which personally is my favorite. Kleive is also a prolific Jazz artist and composer, very diverse but always right on the money. His performances here are a textbook example of supportive drumming without being obtrusive, full of grace and good taste. Overall this is a terrific piece of music, which keeps things simple and straight to the heart, full of great playing and superb melody lines, devoid of unnecessary pose, which sadly rules in music today. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 09/11/2018Posted: 09/11/2018

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SCHEEN JAZZORKESTER & AUDUN KLEIVE ~ POLITURPASSIARER LOSEN 169 (Barcode: 7090025831690) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2014 - 2015 Released: 2017 This is the second album by the Norwegian Scheen JazzorkesterFind albums by this artist on the LosenFind albums on this label Record label, and again it presents a wonderful piece of modern orchestral Jazz music. This time the featured Artist is the drummer / composer Audun KleiveFind albums by this artist, who presents parts of his extensive suite, commissioned by the orchestra. Sixteen relatively short fragments of the suite, which sadly is too long for a single CD, are performed by the orchestra, which of course features Kleive on drums and in total involves thirteen musicians. The music is obviously an amalgam of contemporary Classical Music and Jazz elements. It presents a plethora of short melodic themes, following in rapid succession, and intertwined into a tapestry of melody and rhythm, which keeps changing constantly. There is some place for improvised solos, although not as much as one would find in a small ensemble, since coordinating an orchestra requires discipline and pre-arranged foundations to keep everything in check. Although the music is quite complex, with multilayered rhythmic intricacies and odd meters, the overall impression the music creates is joyful and welcoming, which is somewhat unusual for Nordic music. In fact if I didn´t know better I´d guess this music originated perhaps from Eastern Europe or even entirely outside of Europe. In any case, unusual and unique as it is, the music is definitely a fresh and fascinating approach to orchestral Jazz in particular and orchestral music in general and as such of course deserves attention and even admiration. As already stated, there are relatively few solo parts on this album, as the performance concentrates on ensemble work and tight cooperation between the orchestra members. Therefore it is impossible to point out performances by specific musicians, and the listener should stay focused on the orchestral sound, which is what this album is all about. Since orchestral albums related to the Jazz idiom are a rare commodity in our times, as a result of fewer and fewer Jazz orchestras in existence, every album presenting this kind of music is a delight, especially when it is as good as this one. Since the Scheen Jazzorkester managed to produce two of such gems in rapid succession, I am already waiting for their next recording. Well done!

Updated: 27/01/2017Posted: 27/01/2017

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