An unusual and interesting album by Americans Ferm and Wollesen along with two highly regarded Danish musicians. It's probing, explorative and, if I'm truthful, not entirely to my taste although I could well be in the minority. The quality of the playing is impeccable. Ferm in particular has a beautiful sound on tenor and the arrangements show the individuals in a favourable light. It's a mix of Scandinavian folk and contemporary European jazz albeit not without a touch of New York.
There's lots of overdubbing and extraneous effects. All very well done but, I found it all just too ponderous and drawn out - add contrived - to make a lasting impression on me. If played in a jazz club I think there might be one or two nodding off...
Strangely, as the music meandered along, it begun to reveal previously hidden depths and, by the time it reached track 12 - the title track - it was as if the clouds of grey had finally given way to glorious sunshine. Perhap in acknowledgement, the next, and final, track was Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'. A relatively straight reading but very cleverly arranged.
It's one to check out. Available on Stunt Records - Lance
Sonny Boy; Satan Doll (not to be confused with...); Mnemonic; Down and Forward; Bloom; Barn Dance; Agora; Child's Play; Color Field; Finding Dorian; Johnny Garr; Heart in Hand; Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'.
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