Record Reviews
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  | THOMAS BACKMAN ~ NOTHING
MODERN MUSIC 004 ~ SWEDEN ~ Avant-Garde Jazz
Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025
This is the 3rd album by Swedish saxophonist / clarinetist / composer Thomas BackmanFind albums by this artist, recorded with vocalist / pianist Josephine LindstrandFind albums by this artist, cellist Cecilia LinneFind albums by this artist, bassist David LindvallFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin OhmanFind albums by this artist. Several guest musicians appear on selected tracks. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Backman and one is his arrangement of a piece by the German composer Sigfrid Karg-ElertFind albums by this artist.
The music is a completely weird (in the best meaning of the term) mixture of genres (existing and non-existing), somewhat conceptually similar to the brilliant work of Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, dancing on the invisible / non-existing wire spun above Jazz / Free Jazz / Vaudeville / Contemporary Classical Music, and others, shunning any attempt of precise definition, which of course of absolutely fabulous from start to finish, breaking the plague of boredom that so much music these days suffers from.
There are of course many conventional melody lines herein, which serve as points of reference to the adjoining wonderful mayhem. Of course in such cases writing about music becomes like dancing about architecture, and only hearing is believing, which in this case is warmly recommended.
Overall, this is an absolutely fresh and fascinating, albeit somewhat too short for my liking, piece of music, which tickles the untouched brain cells, which most listeners probably forgot about, and offers an enthralling musical experience, which nobody should miss!
| | Updated: 19/04/2026Posted: 19/04/2026 | CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | 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 | CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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