Record Reviews

GINE GAUSTAD ANDERSSEN ~ HEIM LOSEN 165 (Barcode: 7090025831652) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2016 This is the debut album as a leader by Norwegian vocalist / pianist / songwriter Gine Gaustad AnderssenFind albums by this artist, on which she is supported by a Norwegian / Swedish team of musicians: guitarist Carl Emil SvenssonFind albums by this artist, bassists Fredrik NilssonFind albums by this artist and Johannes LundbergFind albums by this artist, drummers Hermund NygardFind albums by this artist and Martin OhmanFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Arve HenriksenFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Thomas GustafssonFind albums by this artist. She performs eight songs, six of which are composed by her and feature her lyrics, one song features her lyrics to an Astor PiazzollaFind albums by this artist composition and one song is by Norwegian singer / songwriter Kari BremnesFind albums by this artist. The lyrics are in Norwegian and in English. The songs are all stunningly beautiful, intimate and lyrical and the vocalist performs them with a minimalistic accompaniment mostly of just guitar, bass and drums. On some songs her voice is multi-tracked to create a vocal harmony effect. The entire album is soaked in deep melancholy and introvert unfussiness, which is immensely effective, using a most convincing "more is less" modus operandi. Although not Jazz per se, this music is closely associated with the Jazz idiom, as it possesses an intrinsic feeling of Swing, and of course the presence of the Jazz musicians on board also makes a significant impact. Regardless of the labeling one might associate with this album, it is a true joy and I wish many more albums like that were recorded. Overall this is a very unique collection of gorgeous songs, performed by a great team of musicians and sung by the person who composed the material, in a most non-pretentious personal way, which makes the listener´s heart melt. Loved every minute if it! Well done!

Updated: 31/01/2017Posted: 31/01/2017

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ANDERS HAGBERG ~ WITH HOPE PROPHONE 369 (Barcode: 822359004443) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 - 2024 Released: 2025 This is an album by Swedish flautist / saxophonist / composer Anders HagbergFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with Swedish bassist Johannes LundbergFind albums by this artist, Finnish keyboardist Joona ToivanenFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Helge Andreas NorbakkenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, eight of which are original compositions by Hagberg, two are arrangements of Ukrainian Folk songs and one is an arrangement of a Classical piece by Francis PoulencFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded by Lundberg, who is also a sound engineer, and offers a beautiful sound quality and ambience. The music is beautifully melodic and melancholic, full of Scandinavian mysticism and many Folkloristic themes, which blend perfectly with the Jazzy improvisations. All the musicians perform splendidly and support Hagberg’s impressive soloing amicably and creatively. In his liner notes printed in the album’s artwork, Hagberg mentions the sadness and misery that surrounds us presently, a time which shows the cruelty of the human nature, rather than its beauty. These feelings are perfectly reflected in the music, which also might perhaps serve as a soothing element. Individually, people have very little effect on their life’s circumstances and the world that surrounds them, with Art, music included, being one of the few remedies we are able to apply to face our destiny. This music definitely can serve as such a remedy, with its intrinsic beauty and comforting, relaxing nature, for which we can only be thankful. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of music, full of beautiful melodies, heartfelt performances and a calming embrace. Although it is improvised and far from trivial, it is certainly very communicative and universal, which makes it accessible to a wide range of listeners, not necessarily strictly from the Jazz loving circles. Well done and warmly recommended!

Updated: 01/10/2025Posted: 01/10/2025

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