Record Reviews

ERIK THORMOD HALVORSEN ~ UPPERCASE LOSEN 138 (Barcode: 7090025831386) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by veteran Norwegian trumpeter / composer Erik Thormod HalvorsenFind albums by this artist, recorded in different quintet lineups with saxophonist Rune A. NicolaysenFind albums by this artist and pianist Freddy Hoel NilsenFind albums by this artist and several guitarists, bassist and drummers and a couple of guest musicians. The album presents eleven compositions, six of which are originals (four by Halvorsen and one each by Nicolaysen and Nilsen) and five are standards. All tracks are studio recordings except for the closing track which was recorded live. Halvorsen, a lifetime member of the excellent Norwegian Sandvika Storband (Big Band}, was 64 years old at the time this music was recorded. I have no idea why he had to wait so long to make this album but I am glad he finally did, as it is overall fabulous. The music is a straight-ahead mainstream Jazz, which is perfectly performed by all the participants, who display obvious sympathy towards the music and a great swinging groove. Funny enough, the original compositions on this album are honestly as good as the standards and its great to see that some people are still capable of composing a swinging Bebop tune, which makes the Jazz tradition alive again. There are many great solos on this album by those by the Irish guitarist Louis StewartFind albums by this artist are simply marvelous. Although not innovative or adventurous in any way, this is still a very good Jazz album, which many listeners around the world should be able to enjoy immensely and which plays a suitable homage to the mainstream Jazz tradition. I had a lot of fun listening to this music and I´m sure many others will share my feelings about it.

Updated: 06/03/2016Posted: 04/03/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

LONDON JAZZ CHAMBER GROUP ~ ADAM`S RIB SUITE ACROBAT 4259 (Barcode: 824046425920) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 2007 This is a reissue of the of the album by the London Jazz Chamber GroupFind albums by this artist, which combines a Jazz sextet: trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist Roy WilloxFind albums by this artist, pianist Ken MouleFind albums by this artist, guitarist Louis StewartFind albums by this artist, bassist Lennie BushFind albums by this artist and drummer Ronnie StevensonFind albums by this artist and a string quartet led by violist Patrick HallingFind albums by this artist. They perform together an eleven-part suite composed by Moule. The music is a marvelous collection of melodic themes, brilliantly arranged for a Jazz sexted and a string quartet, which is Moule’s greatest achievement in his long and diverse musical career. These excellent players perform the music with panache and gusto, as expected, and the string arrangements are completely unique and innovative floating between Classical and stage music. For some completely unknown reason this album is completely unknown and I have never seen it mentioned anywhere, despite the fact that is a National Treasure as far as British Jazz is concerned. So here it is in full splendor, including the original cover art – which will hopefully nor be banned by the FB automata – and which proves that nakedness is not always pornography, and can be Art. Overall, this is great and very unusual Jazz album, which withstood the tides of time brilliantly and should have an honorable place in every serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 07/02/2025Posted: 07/02/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend