Record Reviews

FAIRPLAY & NORMA WINSTONE ~ FAR TO GO GRAPPA 4056 (Barcode: 7033662040568) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 Released: 1993 This is a wonderful and little known album by Norwegian quartet FairplayFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonist / bass clarinetist Tor YttredalFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Vigleik StoraasFind albums by this artist, bassist Torbjorn HillersoyFind albums by this artist and drummer Trond KopperudFind albums by this artist. British vocalist / lyricist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist joins the quartet performing vocal parts and contributing lyrics to four of the songs on the album, which offers ten original compositions, all composed by the quartet members. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist in charge of the recording magic, with spectacular results as usual. The music is an absolutely stunning example of Nordic Jazz, with a slight touch of Fusion, due to the utilization of electric bass and keyboards. The music is strongly melody based, with the omnipresent Nordic melancholy and introspection, but ventures into open, more freely improvised explorations on the instrumental tracks. Winstone fits wonderfully to this musical environment both as a vocalist and a lyricist, and the cooperation is perfectly organic and as a result also extremely effective. Her vocal and improvised vocalese are absolutely top notch. The instrumental pieces provide an opportunity to the quartet members to explore more adventurous direction, but overall the entire album is beautifully coherent and definitely offers a clearly defined musical aesthetics. It is interesting to hear this music in retrospect, especially in view of the later career of the members of the group, including ECMFind albums on this label recordings. Overall this is a lost treasure and an absolute gem for all Winstone fans, British and Scandinavian Jazz enthusiasts and all people with ears in their heads. Not easy to find but worth the effort – absolutely stunning stuff!

Updated: 18/06/2018Posted: 18/06/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / JACOB YOUNG ~ WHERE FLAMINGOS FLY GRAPPA 4189 (Barcode: 7033662041893) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2002 This is a wonderful duo album by Norwegian vocalist / songwriter Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and guitarist / composer Jacob YoungFind albums by this artist. They are supported on three tracks by the sublime bassist Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, one of which was written by Krog, and the rest being Jazz standards. The album was produced by Karin’s Friend John SurmanFind albums by this artist and recorded by our Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, at his legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo, and offers a spectacular sound quality. Karin and the young (at the time) Jacob, who was at the early stages of his career, met to record a few tunes together for the Norwegian Radio, after Karin realized that her great affinity for the “Art of the Duo” Jazz idiom never resulted in a recording with a guitarist earlier on. A couple of years later this recording of the entire duo project came to fruition, with spectacular results. Previously to this recording session Young released his 3rd album “GlowFind albums with this title”, which was a turning point of his career. The music is, as always, a terrific journey through Jazz standards in a unique way Krog interprets them, which is unlike anything else within the genre. Her incredible sensitivity in expressing the lyrics and play around with the melody makes her a phenomenon. Young turns out to be a highly amicable accompanist, with great sensitivity to her vocal and rhythmic idiosyncrasies, soloing sparingly. It is truly amazing to realize that there is nothing missing here and the vocals and delicate guitar sounds create a complete doze of musical delivery. Young remains perfectly within the supporting role, not trying to add even one unnecessary note or phrase, always assisting the vocals with exactly the right notes or chords. When Andersen joins the duo, his brilliant pulsations expand the sound impressively, but again not spoiling the intimacy if this session, proving again what a genius musician he is. Overall, this is another great gem in the long list of Krog’s recorded legacy, which includes some of the finest Norwegian, European and American instrumentalists, but always emphasizes her complete individuality and uniqueness. Her music has been a source of musical delight since many years back, and continues to be so to this very day. Thank you for that, my Lady!

Updated: 01/02/2024Posted: 01/02/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / BERGEN BIG BAND / JOHN SURMAN ~ SEAGULL GRAPPA 4212 (Barcode: 7033662042128) ~ NORWAY ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is a brilliant album by Norwegian vocalist / songwriter Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, accompanied by the excellent Bergen Big BandFind albums by this artist, conducted by British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist, who also adds a few soli on several of the tracks. The album presents twelve tracks, two of which are written by Krog, five are co-written by Krog and Surman, and the rest are Jazz standards. The arrangements are mostly by Surman, but four of them are by another Brit (well, born in Canada) John WarrenFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded by my Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, and offers a spectacular sound quality. The album presents two separate European Jazz collaborations, the first between Surman and the Bergen Big Band, which also produced the superb “Another SkyFind albums with this title” album from 2014, also released on the GrappaFind albums on this label label, and the second between Krog and Surman, which started in 1976 and produced a long series of albums created oved many decades. Considering the fact that Krog and Surman are two of my all-time favorite musicians, and the Jazz Big Band is one of my favorite Jazz idioms, this album is for me an absolute delight from start to finish. Krog, as I have already stated many times previously, is one of the finest interpreters of Jazz standards, as well as a great songwriter of her own right, and she has been active since the mid-1960s, i.e. for almost six decades now, never singing a wrong note since, and her idiosyncratic vocals are one of European Jazz best known secrets. Surman is of course a true Jazz Master in every respect and his accumulated achievements are second to none. The Bergen Big Band is also a great representative of the European orchestral music approach, and all of their recordings are definitely worth being checked out for lovers of that particular Jazz sub-genre. Active since 1993, it is one of best European Big Bands around, featuring some of the best musicians in the country and often inviting guests from abroad. Overall, this a brilliant album, which combines Big Band Jazz and Jazz vocals, which can hardly get any better. It showcases the unique talents of Krog and Surman, here also as arranger / conductor, in short a splendid display of talent and virtuosity. Absolutely breathtaking!

Updated: 27/01/2024Posted: 27/01/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KARIN KROG / STEVE KUHN ~ TOGETHER AGAIN GRAPPA 4247 (Barcode: 7033662042470) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is a duo album by Norwegian Jazz vocalist Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and American Jazz pianist Steve KuhnFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, all classic Jazz standards. The music was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. During her long-lasting career Krog established close working relationships in several duo settings with top Jazz musicians, most notably with British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist and Kuhn, which resulted in a series of wonderful duo recordings, of which this is a prime example. The wonderful, naked format of human voice accompanied just by acoustic piano is one of the purest and most pristine examples of making music, which although intimate and modest can become infinitely rich and deeply moving. Kuhn is of course one of the greatest accompanists out there, known for his work with Sheila JordanFind albums by this artist and other vocalists, and his playing is simply divine. Combined with the Krog’s warm voice and her idiosyncratic interpretations of the songs, the duo is able to move mountains and make even the toughest listeners to shed a proverbial tear. Kuhn’s deeply lyrical approach to melody and the wealth of his piano technique is extraordinary and every note produced by him on the piano is absolutely perfect, in tone, volume and relationship to the vocals. Overall, this is a masterful showcase of the piano / vocals Jazz idiom, perfect from the first note to the last, and deserving repeated listening sessions over time. When the world gets particularly gloomy and sad, this album might just be the last resort…

Updated: 29/08/2021Posted: 29/08/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SIRIL MALMEDAL HAUGE / KJETIL ANDRE MULELID ~ BLUES AND BELLS GRAPPA 4757 (Barcode: 7033662047574) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the debut album by the Norwegian duo comprising of vocalist / songwriter Siril Malmedal HaugeFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Kjetil Andre MulelidFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven songs, three of which are originals by the duo and the rest are their arrangements / interpretations of Pop / Jazz standards. Although primarily associated with Jazz, the duo members take somewhat liberal approach to their Jazz roots on this album, creating a unique atmosphere, which blends many musical influences. The intimate setting allows for close dialogue between the two musical souls, which is always the most important aspect of any musical cooperation. Hauge has a very particular timbre and vocal expression, which I personally like very much, but might perhaps not be for everybody. It is somewhat theatrical and cabaret oriented, and her English accent is charmingly foreign. But all in all I always enjoyed her vocals, although I suppose I’d have preferred her singing in her Mother tongue. Mulelid is an excellent pianist and proved to be also a sensitive accompanist. His improvisations are sometimes a bit intense for this intimate setting, but on the other hand they are significantly enriching the musical tapestry of the entire album. Overall, this is a very agreeable and enjoyable vocals / piano duo, with strong ties to Jazz, but not strictly Jazz per se, making it accessible to a relatively wide audience. Beautifully recorded, the music is certainly elegant and inviting, which should make many music lovers happy.

Updated: 01/04/2023Posted: 31/03/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend