Record Reviews

MOLECULES & ERLEND SKOMSVOLL ~ LOUDER THAN YOU ORA FONOGRAM 121 (Barcode: 7090015631217) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by Norwegian Jazz sextet MoleculesFind albums by this artist, led by vocalist Karoline WallaceFind albums by this artist and also including trumpeter Tancred Heyerdahl HusoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jonas Flemsaeter HamreFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mathias MarstranderFind albums by this artist, bassist Petter AsbjornsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Oyvind SkarboFind albums by this artist. They are joined by pianist Erlend SkomsvollFind albums by this artist and together as a septet perform twelve original compositions, all by Wallace (music and lyrics), with some co-arrangement and co-writing by Skomsvoll and two other Molecules members. The music is based on the "song" approach deeply based in the modern Jazz idiom, where the songs are complex vocal performances, which feature both lyrics and vocalese. The multilayered instrumental accompaniment is structured around the vocal parts, creating a rich and powerful overall sound almost of a small Big Band. The sound is dense and rather dark, but allows for the individual solo parts to be heard clearly. The vocal parts are the focus of this music, and Wallace is doing a great job both as composer and performer, to put some light on contemporary vocal Jazz, which is sadly much neglected these years. She uses the ensemble and the pianist to help her express the musical message of her songs, doing so in a wide range of moods and scopes, from intimate vocals-piano duets to large ensemble complex and powerful scores. Overall this is a very impressive album, which requires an intellectual effort to get into, but at the end is definitely very rewarding. There are many wonderful individual statements, superb ensemble playing and mesmerizing, very unusual vocal parts, which should be of great interest to modern vocal Jazz connoisseurs. The album also testifies to the incredibly developed and vital Jazz scene in Norway, which is sadly not always recognized beyond its borders and definitely worth investigation, especially in the case of new generation of players which not only continues the country´s Jazz tradition but takes it further into new territory.

Updated: 10/10/2018Posted: 15/02/2018

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KAROLINE WALLACE ~ STIKLINGER ORA FONOGRAM 169 (Barcode: 7090015631699) ~ NORWAY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the second album as a leader by Norwegian vocalist / composer Karoline WallaceFind albums by this artist, recorded with musicians she encountered while living in Copenhagen: saxophonist Jonas EngelFind albums by this artist, cellist Ida NorbyFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Erik Kimestad PedersenFind albums by this artist, pianist Thibault GomezFind albums by this artist, bassist Petter AsbjornsenFind albums by this artist and Polish drummer Szymon GasiorekFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Szymon PimponFind albums by this artist). The album presents six original compositions by Wallace. Wallace, who has already a rather impressive recording legacy accumulated during the last few years, both as a leader and member of several Scandinavian ensembles, emerges as one of the most impressive figures on that scene. She mostly uses her voice like an instrument, which becomes another instrument in the ensemble, and her wonderful compositions are open to extensive improvisation, with their power being in their minimalism. On this album she uses recorded sounds from her childhood, which are incorporated in the music, creating a collage of sounds combined with the instrumentalist playing on the album. The compositions, or rather soundscapes, are inspired by her Grandmother’s garden and are full of mystique and internal tension and sound like a large orchestral work despite the fact that they are performed by just a limited number of participants playing only acoustic instruments. Despite the fact that the music is about very private reminiscences, the music manages to turn them into a universal experience. Overall this is a most impressive piece of contemporary Scandinavian / European Jazz / Improvised Music, which shows the incredible level of creativity the young generation of musicians has to offer. Wallace manages to create imaginative, highly absorbing music time after time and is certainly a figure worth following, as she obviously has a lot more to say in the future.

Updated: 13/08/2021Posted: 13/08/2021

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HEIN WESTGAARD TRIO ~ FIRST AS FARCE NICE THINGS 011 (Barcode: 7041886101545) ~ NORWAY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by Norwegian guitarist / composer Hein WestgaardFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format both bassist Petter AsbjornsenFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Simon ForchhammerFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve short tracks, seven composed by Westgaard and five co-composed by him and Asbjornsen. The music, although based on composed ideas, is mostly spontaneously improvised, with a lot of freedom and space, but manages to create a coherent outcome. The sound is quite unique, minimalist and often contemplative, which is definitely not for a conventional Jazz listener, but people opened to Improvised Music should be able to enjoy this very much. Despite the fact that the music lacks an easily recognizable melodic basis, it flows lucidly and even pleasantly, resulting in a fascinating aural experience. The rapport between the trio members is excellent and each of them contributes his part in full accord with the others, respectfully and agreeably. The individual contributions by these young musicians are pretty impressive, and personally my favorite are the bass parts by Asbjornsen, which hold the music together splendidly. Overall, this is an impressive debut recording, which shows considerable potential and talent by the participants. The music is definitely for Free Jazz / Improvised Music enthusiasts, rather than for mainstream Jazz listeners, but it holds many fascinating moments. Well done!

Updated: 04/02/2024Posted: 04/02/2024

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