Tord Gustavsen – Piano, Tore Brunborg
– Saxophones, Mats Eilertsen - Double Bass, Jarle Vespestad – Drums.
(Review by
Steve H.)
Norwegian jazz tends not to be the wild swinging
sort of music that originated from New
Orleans
We are lulled into this album with Right There a slow and gentle
introduction played by the rhythm trio. The next song is a take on that well
known Norwegian Hymn Eg Veit I Himmerik
Ei Borg (A Castle in Heaven), the rhythm section take the early lead with
Vespestad featuring prominently on snare, ushering Brunborg to perform a
soaring emotional sax solo. Entrance is
a short stark minimalist piece. The Gift
, another trio piece is a mellow meditative ballad. Staying There, within the
context of this album, is a lively funky
number although even the ladies of Hoochie Coochie might struggle to dance to
it. Back on calmer territory with Silent
Spaces which does what it says on
the tin. A reprise of Entrance with
more haunting Saxophone from Brunborg leads into Devotion another piece inspired by sacred music and if my local
church offered peaceful inspired music like this I would be a regular attendee.
The Embrace is almost a jolly tune
and builds to a quite rousing, might I say, uplifting finale. The penultimate
track Glow, a powerful brooding quartet number, is
preceded by a short solo from bassist
Mats Eilertsen Bass Transition. The album finishes as it began with the return of
the trio in The Prodigal Song to send us away relaxed and calm as if we had
just spent a very rejuvenating hour in the sauna. Steve H.
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