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  | MAGNUS BAKKEN ~ CYCLES
AMP 005 (Barcode: 662578830979) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015
This is the debut album by Norwegian saxophonist / composer Magnus BakkenFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Jorn OienFind albums by this artist, bassist Christian Meaas SvendsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon Audun BaarFind albums by this artist. The album also features veteran American saxophonist George GarzoneFind albums by this artist, Bakken´s teacher at the Berklee College of Music, where he studied. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Bakken.
The music is adventurous modern mainstream Jazz, which combines the American influences Bakken absorbed at Berklee with his natural Nordic inspirations, which overall is quite impressive. The themes are very lyrical and often melancholic, beautifully melodic and heartfelt. The level of the compositions is definitely very impressive, especially in the case of a debut album. Lucky for Bakken the Berklee influence did not manage to destroy his individuality.
The execution is also excellent from start to finish. Oien plays some remarkable solo parts and supplies the melodic chord structure all along. The rhythm section is inventive and non-aggressive, carrying the music forward with elegance and flair. The saxophonists, both individually and as a team, play along splendidly, creating many intriguing solo parts. Garzone definitely plays more interestingly here, accompanied by the young Norwegians, than on his American recordings.
Overall this is a splendid debut offer by Bakken, both as a player and a composer, which certainly shows his enormous potential and promises great things to come in the future.
| | Updated: 20/10/2017Posted: 20/10/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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