Record Reviews

HUSMO HAV ~ RIPPLES ORA FONOGRAM 146 (Barcode: 7090015631460) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by young Norwegian Jazz quartet led by trumpeter Thomas Husmo LitleskareFind albums by this artist, which also includes keyboardist Marte EbersonFind albums by this artist, bassist Stian Andreas Egeland AndersenFind albums by this artist and drummer Tore FlatjordFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions composed or co-composed by the quartet members. The music is a beautiful Ambient-Jazz exploration, highly original and wonderfully crafted. The sonic vistas created by the keyboards / synthesizers serve as a surface on which the trumpet parts glide majestically, and the entire musical structure moves propelled by the dynamic rhythm section. The music is full of Nordic minimalism and reserved melancholic continuity, which develops slowly, sometimes into an emotional climax and sometimes just dissolves into silence. It could be described as cinematic music, or as the group jokingly calls it "Science Fiction Jazz", but labeling this music is truly banal, as it easily escapes any genre characteristics. In fact this music could be appealing not only to Jazz connoisseurs, but also to Ambient / Electronic Music lovers and even Progressive Rock enthusiasts. Although the quartet´s modus operandi is obviously based on ensemble playing, which is the music´s essence, the individual contributions are all worth mentioning as well. The trumpet, being the easiest identified soloing instrument, provides the melodic anchor of the music, whereas the keyboards purposely stay somewhat in the background, being in charge of the mysticism and atmospheric contents, whereas the rhythm section is in charge of the pulse, which at time is strongly felt and often hardly audible. Overall this is a superb debut album, which offers to the listener a journey into the unknown, without making him feel uncomfortable or confused. This is definitely a piece of music being worth investigating by listeners who enjoy cross-genre explorations and stepping out on the less obvious musical territory. The only drawback here is the extremely short duration of the album (under half an hour).

Updated: 02/10/2019Posted: 02/10/2019

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HUSMO HAV ~ WAVES DUGNAD 030 ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the second album by the Norwegian Jazz quartet Husmo HavFind albums by this artist, led by trumpeter Thomas Husmo LitleskareFind albums by this artist and including keyboardist Marte EbersonFind albums by this artist, bassist Stian Andreas Egeland AndersenFind albums by this artist and drummer Tore FlatjordFind albums by this artist. The album presents five original compositions, three by the leader and one each by Eberson and Andersen. The total playing time of the album is just under 23 minutes, which is even under EP timing, not to mention a full album. The music is a continuation of the path taken on the debut album, but is less contemplative and definitely more straightforward, with simple melodic themes and steady rhythmic background, which overall is way less attractive than the debut and almost touches on danceability. The sound, which features the muffled / husky trumpet and the keyboards producing ambient layers of harmonic atmospheric ambience, backed by the steady work of the rhythm section, still works fine and has a lot of potential, but on this album simply does not takes off to fulfill that potential. The proximity to the late electric Miles DavisFind albums by this artist period is a dangerous and treacherous road, since obviously the Master simply stands alone on that pedestal. Overall, sadly this album does not fulfill the hopes seeded by the debut. Perhaps the release was premature, as the short playing time might suggest, but I still keep my fingers crossed for the next one.

Updated: 19/08/2021Posted: 19/08/2021

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MONGREL ~ TASKENSPILL LOSEN 131 (Barcode: 7090025831317) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by young Norwegian Jazz quartet MongrelFind albums by this artist, which comprises of trumpeter Thomas Husmo LitleskareFind albums by this artist, pianist Johan LindvallFind albums by this artist, bassist Stian Andreas Egeland AndersenFind albums by this artist and drummer Tore FlatjordFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions by Litleskare, Lindvall and Andersen. The music is modern European mainstream, which is melody based but also open to less constrained improvisation and rhythmic freedom. For such young composers the music is remarkably mature and open minded and perfectly blends the Jazz tradition with contemporary trends. Surprisingly it is not deeply rooted in Scandinavian Jazz, with its dark melancholy, but rather tends to be more passionate and expressive. All four musicians play splendidly, with Litleskare drawing most of the attention as the front man, but in fact the music is a well coordinated group effort and everybody gets an opportunity to show his chops. The trumpet sound is somewhat similar to Don CherryFind albums by this artist or Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, two great Masters of the instrument, which of course means that Litleskare learns from the best. Lindvall is very melodic and plays beautiful passages both as a soloist and accompanist. The rhythm section is perfectly able to keep steady time, when necessary, but also is equally proficient when the music ventures into Free territory, with Andersen providing a steady support for the music to move on and Flatjord gracefully adds his polyrhythmic ornamentations. Overall this is a remarkable debut album, which again points out that these young European Jazz musicians are here to take the music into the future, preserving the tradition and expanding the genre, saving it from stagnation. The quartet fully justified the high hopes raised by this album by releasing a sophomore album ("Thick As ThievesFind albums with this title") two years later, which is also excellent. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 26/11/2016Posted: 26/11/2016

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MONGREL ~ THICK AS THIEVES LOSEN 148 (Barcode: 7090025831485) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is the second album by Norwegian Jazz quartet MongrelFind albums by this artist, which comprises of trumpeter Thomas Husmo LitleskareFind albums by this artist, Japanese (resident in Norway) pianist Ayumi TanakaFind albums by this artist, bassist Stian Andreas Egeland AndersenFind albums by this artist and drummer Tore FlatjordFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, five by Litleskare, three by Andersen and one credited to all four members of the quartet. The music is a typical modern European Jazz, based on melodic themes which serve as vehicles for improvisations by the quartet members. It is open to excursions into more free territory, but retains a well behaved orderly manner, even at the most spontaneous eruptions. Although not a typical moody Scandinavian Jazz, the music is still mostly melancholic, introvert and reflective. The compositions develop slowly towards a climatic ending, which in turn is followed by a delicate quiet introduction to the next composition. But strong melodies and excellent, sensitive execution turn the music into a most enjoyable listening experience. Litleskare is a formidable trumpet player, who uses a rough, somewhat "dirty" tone, similar to that of the great Polish Master Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist. His solos are all perfect examples of minimal coolness, and with the amicable support by the quartet members, he manages to achieve an effect of a veteran pro, despite his young age. Tanaka is a wonderfully romantic pianist, and her solos are true bliss; sadly she does not get the exposure she deserves, as more presence on her part could have made this album even better than it already is. The rhythm section does a wonderful job from start to finish, being right there behind the soloists, and managing the sometimes tricky twists and turns the music takes with taste and elegance. Overall this is another superb release on the Norwegian LosenFind albums on this label Records, which proudly presents the new generation of the country´s Jazz talents, for which we can only be grateful. The only minor point of criticism about this album is its duration (under forty minutes) which is disappointing, especially in view of the quality of the music. We want more next time ;)

Updated: 09/05/2016Posted: 09/05/2016

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NILASALIN ~ NILASALIN AMP 021 (Barcode: 662578831150) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by Norwegian Jazz quintet NilasaliNFind albums by this artist, which consists of trombonist Nils Andreas GransethFind albums by this artist, guitarist Magnus Jonnum GrimnesFind albums by this artist, pianist Martin Sandvik GjerdeFind albums by this artist, bassist Stian Andreas Egeland AndersenFind albums by this artist and drummer Magnus Sefaniassen EideFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, seven composed by Granseth and one each by Andersen, Gjerde and Grimnes. The music is a highly melodic modern European Jazz, with an unusual trombone / guitar front line, which creates a unique ambience. As it often happens with Norwegian bands, the wonderful calm and minimalistic atmosphere presides over the entire proceeding, with every note played exactly in its proper place and perfectly in harmony with everything else that is happening around. Introvert and melancholic, the beautiful melodies develop slowly and reveal layer after layer of harmonic aesthetics. The individual performances by the quintet members are also superb from start to finish. Granseth, who obviously steers the music and is the main soloist, has an exquisite trombone sound, round and velvety, which in spite of its limitations proves to be completely in charge and able to play anything between long melodic lines and virtuosic arpeggios, when appropriate. Grimnes plays very tasty licks and manages to stay within the Jazz idiom, avoiding the Fusion excursions. Gjerde is wonderfully dynamic and plays excellent accompaniment behind the soloists as well as splendid solos. Andersen builds a solid layer upon which the music slides forward effortlessly, always there at the right time, with round and confident pulsations. Eide stays most of the time in the background, with his delicate but sophisticated rhythmic support, which is ideal for this music. Overall this is an astounding debut album, full of superb music and exquisite performances, which offers an unusual sound ambience and continues the Nordic Jazz tradition at its best. The elegance, sophistication and class present herein are simply mind blowing. The album was exceptionally recorded and the sound quality is simply breathtaking. This is definitely one of the best albums that landed on my desk so far in 2018 and to my adversaries I say again – this blows most ECMFind albums on this label albums out of the window, just listen!

Updated: 07/04/2018Posted: 07/04/2018

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THOMAS TORSTRUP ~ TWO BROTHERS NXN 2007 (Barcode: 7090052640128) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2021 This is the debut album as a leader by Norwegian pianist / composer Thomas TorstrupFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with trumpeter Simen Kiil HalvorsenFind albums by this artist, bassist Stian Andreas Egeland AndersenFind albums by this artist and drummer Ivar Myrset AsheimFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, seven by Torstrup and one by Andersen. The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz idiom, based on solid, melodic compositions, which serve as vehicles for improvisations by the quartet members. The classic Jazz quartet with trumpet up front is a refreshing reminder of many such ensembles in the good old Bebop and Hard Bop days, which is sadly less popular these days. Much of the music is based on the intimate dialogue between the piano and the trumpet, which works marvelously even without any accompaniment by the rhythm section, but of course the quartet performances as equally enjoyable. Torstrup is definitely a skilled and imaginative pianist, and his highly developed sense of melody allows him to develop fluid and coherent soloing all through the album. Halvorsen, who appears on several albums I had the pleasure to review earlier, has a beautiful clear sound and excellently uses the muted sound to emphasize the lyrical moments. The rhythm section is also very skilled and performs amicably, keeping the music on track. Overall, this is an admirable debut effort showing a lot of potential, which will definitely come to fruition in the future work by these young representatives of the Norwegian Jazz scene, which in the last decade achieved a significant footstep on the European Jazz scene. Definitely well done!

Updated: 01/12/2021Posted: 01/12/2021

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