Record Reviews

BJORN ALTERHAUG ~ BLAME IT ON MY AGE LOSEN 329 (Barcode: 7090025833298) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2025 Released: 2026 This is an album by the Norwegian Jazz bassist / composer Bjorn AlterhaugFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic Jazz quartet setting with saxophonist Erlend Vangen KongtorpFind albums by this artist, pianist Vigleik StoraasFind albums by this artist and drummer Tom OlstadFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, four of which are original compositions by Alterhaug, one is by Storaas, and five are standards. Alterhaug, aged eighty at the time this music was recorded, is one of the great Norwegian Jazz veterans, with an extensive career as a musician and educator and a very long list of recordings under his belt. Following a stroke suffered six years earlier, it seemed that his playing days are over, but years of rehabilitation brought him back to shape, as this recording proves, and we can enjoy some more of his wonderful deep tone and precise Jazz feel, which are of course most welcome. The music, a nice mix of originals and standards, is all well behaved modern mainstream, which sounds as good as one might hope for, and offers a great opportunity to enjoy more of the Master’s touch by the leader and well-rounded Nordic Jazz, beautifully performed. Overall, this is a superb tribute to a veteran and much loved Norwegian Jazz Maestro, which can be enjoyed by Jazz lovers the world over, who can at the same time celebrate the generation of the elders, who created modern European Jazz and contributed so much to raise generation of younger players to keep the flame burning.

Updated: 29/04/2026Posted: 26/04/2026

CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG ~ OSLO CALLING MEANTIME 14 (Barcode: 7051070000141) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 This is an album by the Norwegian Jazz singer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, recorded with a Norwegian trio comprising of pianist Vigleik StoraasFind albums by this artist, bassist Bjorn AlterhaugFind albums by this artist and drummer Tom OlstadFind albums by this artist, collectively known as The Meantimes. Several guest appear on selected tracks, including British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist and the legendary sound engineer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, who was also an accomplished guitarist. The album presents twelve tracks, two of which are original songs by Krog, two others are songs co-written by Storaas and Krog and the rest are standards. The album is a wonderful testimony of Krog’s love of the vocal Jazz idiom, which always reflects her incredible talent and her superb interaction with other musicians. Her treatment of Jazz standards is absolutely unique and instantly recognizable, and she has been one of my favorite Jazz vocalists since as long as I can remember. Overall, this is brilliant music, which deserves to be heard. Krog has very few competitors as a Jazz vocalist, with her idiosyncratic approach and incredible feel, and her superb recorded legacy accumulated over the years is a true treasure chest. This is an absolute must to vocal Jazz enthusiasts.

Updated: 19/08/2023Posted: 19/08/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend