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  | NORDIC CIRCLES ~ WINTER RAINBOW
AMP 002 (Barcode: 769923110752) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015
This is the debut album by a project called Nordic CirclesFind albums by this artist, which assembles ad-hoc ensembles featuring musicians from the Nordic countries and creates a meeting point between established Jazz players and young representatives of the genre. On this album the lineup consists of Norwegian trumpeter Tore JohansenFind albums by this artist, Swedish guitarist Per OrvangFind albums by this artist, Norwegian pianist Helge LienFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Anders LjungbergFind albums by this artist and Swedish (resident in Norway) drummer Anders ThorenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions: three by Orvang, two by Thoren, one each by Johansen and Lien and one is an improvised non-credited piece. The music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in charge of the sound.
The music is typical Nordic Jazz, with beautiful melodic themes developing slowly, full of melancholy and mystique. The minimalistic and delicate arrangements add to the lyrical atmosphere. Even the freely improvised piece sounds melodic and completely in place with the rest of the material.
The performances of the quintet members are all stellar. Johansen "steals" the show with his beautiful trumpet tone and exquisitely balanced long solos, but Orvang and Lien also contribute exceptional statements. The rhythm section keeps the music moving forward, with the bass supporting the harmonic structures and the drums adding percussive ornamentations to the beat and tempo. There is a superb level of mutual understanding and respect and the music flows naturally and flawlessly, like mist over water.
Lovers of the Nordic sound should find this album delightful in every respect, both musically and sound wise, as the recording is exceptionally bright and clear, as always in the case of Kongshaug presiding over the knobs. Satisfaction guaranteed!
| | Updated: 20/10/2017Posted: 20/10/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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