Record Reviews

SIMEN KIIL HALVORSEN ~ SCRIPTED CONVERSATIONS AMP 010 (Barcode: 6625788310376) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the debut album by Norwegian trumpeter / composer Simen Kiil HalvorsenFind albums by this artist, recorded by his sextet, which also includes saxophonist Hanna PaulsbergFind albums by this artist, pianist Oyvind DaleFind albums by this artist, bassist Fredrik Luhr DietrichsonFind albums by this artist and drummers Raymond Storaunet LavikFind albums by this artist and Hans HulbaekmoFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Halvorsen. The music is contemporary European Jazz, played by representatives of the young generation of Norwegian Jazz, which is gradually taking charge of the local scene. The compositions are coherent and harmonically graceful, serving ideally as vehicles for extended soloing and group performances. The rhythm section, which features two drummers, adds a unique polyrhythmic touch, which includes a delicate but significant World Music subtext. The well written tunes are able to hold the listener´s attention from start to finish and keep surprising with their grace and depth. There is a superb balance between the melody based material and the less constrained improvised content, providing an excellent amalgam of the two. The individual performances by all the members of the sextet are very impressive, especially in view of their young age. These musicians are all gifted instrumentalists and their work as an ensemble is full of mutual respect and attentive listening. The overall result achieved by the sextet is truly outstanding. This album is a wonderful example of what young European musicians are capable today, presenting a remarkably mature statements, which are detached from the stale American Jazz tradition. This music is fresh, progressive and searching, and as such keeps the listener mesmerized, and expands the Jazz horizons into uncharted territory, which after all is the essence of the idiom. Overall this is a most impressive debut, both on the compositional and performance levels, which deserves to be heard by as many modern European Jazz fans as possible. Please reach out and get a copy of this album – satisfaction guaranteed!

Updated: 04/10/2018Posted: 05/10/2017

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MATHISEN / BREISTEIN ~ GADGETS AMP 024 (Barcode: 662578831174) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by duo comprising of guitarist / composer Svein Rikard MathisenFind albums by this artist and saxophonist / composer Inge Weatherhead BreisteinFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in a quartet setting with Swedish bassist Johannes VahtFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Raymond Storaunet LavikFind albums by this artist. Together they perform seven original pieces, all co-composed by the duo members. The music is melody based modern European Jazz with a strong Nordic flavor, but somewhat more energetic than most Nordic recordings. The tight guitar / saxophone (often unisono) sound is quite characteristic and dominates the proceedings. Both leaders solo extensively following the introductory passages, supported amicably by the rhythm section, which is highly professional but remains in the background most of the time. All the compositions are kept at the same emotional level and similar tempo, which half the way through the album creates a déjà vu impression, which is difficult to shake down. Although the music is fine, it simply fails to take the listener by storm. Nevertheless the album is well played and deserves to be listened to, even if it appears somewhat monotonic. Overall this is an interesting debut effort, which shows a lot of potential, which will probably blossom in the duo´s future projects. It is a fine reflection of the diversity of the contemporary Norwegian Jazz. Guitar fans will find here many licks, which are a delight to listen to.

Updated: 04/10/2018Posted: 04/10/2018

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