Record Reviews

KARIN KROG ~ WHERE YOU AT? ENJA 9144 (Barcode: 767522914429) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003 This is an album by the Norwegian Jazz singer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, recorded in NY with a fabulous American trio: pianist Steve KuhnFind albums by this artist, bassist David FinckFind albums by this artist and drummer Billy DrummondFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, three of which were written by Kuhn, four were composed by John SurmanFind albums by this artist with lyrics by Krog and the remaining four are standards. Krog recorded several albums with Kuhn and they love to work together since many years, as this lovely album clearly shows. Kuhn is a highly sensitive accompanist and a virtuoso pianist, which can be heard on his numerous recordings, but his collaborations with Krog always offer a wonderful atmosphere of mutual respect and love. Krog has been one of my favorite vocalist since decades and her idiosyncratic style and approach are absolutely unique. She combines the Jazz vocal tradition with modern and sometimes even Avant-Garde approach, especially when recording with Surman. Overall, this is a fabulous classic Jazz vocal album, perfectly sung and played by fabulous musicians, with great mixture of original material and standards. Krog recorded quite a few albums during her career, and there is not even one of those, that does not make my day on a cloudy day. Love you, Karin!

Updated: 14/08/2023Posted: 14/08/2023

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STEVE KUHN ~ MOSTLY COLTRANE ECM 2099 (Barcode: 602527011141) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 Excellent album by US pianist / composer Steve KuhnFind albums by this artist with his trio comprising of bassist David FinckFind albums by this artist and drummer Joey BaronFind albums by this artist and guest saxophonist Joe LovanoFind albums by this artist. Kuhn, who is one of the most impressive American pianists / composers on the Jazz scene since the 1960s, started to record for the ECMFind albums on this label label in 1974 and his numerous albums on the label are all truly outstanding. On this album Kuhn re-examines the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist legacy as a composer, performing nine of his compositions. The other four selections include two compositions by Kuhn and two standards, which Coltrane performed often during the early stage of his career. Although obviously a tribute to the greatest Genius of Jazz, the album can be also viewed as an attempt to personalize Coltrane´s legacy and influence, adapting it to contemporary approach, half a Century after Coltrane composed and performed this music. Regardless of how one wants to analyze this music, it works perfectly and produces an aesthetic experience of the highest degree. Superb stuff! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice This wonderful disc manages to bring a rich smoothness to the pieces without falling into the trap of "smooth jazz" (ie, not remotely MoR). Joey Baron adds brilliant highlights and I have made a mental not to hear more of Finck´s bass.

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