Apr 25 2015
Recommended: Jakob Sorensen – “Bagland”
The winning quality of Bagland is the way it delivers profound melodicism while maintaining a casual, laid-back tempo. The debut album by Jakob Sørensen possesses an easy-going flow, which, when contrasted against the emotional punch it delivers, creates an appealing contrast. Opening track “Vindeltrappen” is an immediate case in point.
The rhythms on “Pelsfrakker” grow a bit more insistent, adopting a bit of a martial flair, and guitarist Alex Jønsson scoots right along on his solo, but still the song retains a relaxed demeanor. It’s a quality that suits the album well. For instance, the ambling motion of “Op Ned Henover” is the perfect counterbalance to a melody that seeks to take flight.
Intriguingly, “Forandringens Fortvivlelse” often goes for the grand statements with a tiny sound. Title-track “Bagland” runs a similar route, but goes about it languorously. “Marehalmens Flugt” slips through several permutations of liveliness, but keeps tethered to an ambient sensibility. “Something Pretty” is all about the melody, casting it about like sunlight on a Summer day. Two clarinetists join the quintet on this tune, and the textures they add leave the ear wanting more and wishful that those guests had occupied permanent seats on the recording.
The album drifts serenely to the finish line with the atmospheric “Flyver Væk i Evig Sol,” ending an album that delights in the art of slow motion in a world of melody.
Your album personnel: Jakob Sørensen (trumpet), Alex Jønsson (guitar), Mathias Jæger (piano), Frederik Sakham (double bass), Frej Lesner (drums) and guests: Nellie Parsager Jensen (clarinet), Sofie Kirk Østergaard (clarinet).
Released on the Jaeger Community label.
Explore the artist on Soundcloud.
Jazz from the Aarhus, Denmark scene.
Album cover photography by Kirsten Klein.
Available at: Bandcamp | Amazon
Apr 27 2015
Recommended: Sean Jones – “Im*pro*vise: Never Before Seen”
“Dark Times” is a slow blues, smokey and cool, sounding reminiscent of Donald Byrd’s 1968 hard bop recording, Slow Drag. Pianist Orrin Evans kicks up some dirt, which Jones complements with some sharp bursts on trumpet, and the brief flurry of dissonance brings even greater clarity to the quartet’s serious groove. The quartet’s talent at the manipulation of motion becomes even more evident on “Interior Motive.” Drummer Obed Calvaire instigates a choppy tempo that practically glides when it breaks from the dense forest and out into the clearing.
With “The Morning After” and “We’ll Meet Under the Stars,” Jones shows his talent at shepherding a ballad along nice and easy. Of particular interest is the former track, pure moonlight, which grows into a dramatic call into the night.
Jones’s trumpet is all sunny cheer on “I.D.G.A.D Blues,” but it’s the walking cadence of bassist Luques Curtis that starts the song out with a smile. Similarly, Curtis gets “Dr. Jekyll” scooting right along, and the interconnectivity of tempo between bass, piano and drums is terrifically engaging, and lays down a framework for Jones to offer up some thrilling moments.
And it’s an album filled with many more.
Your album personnel: Sean Jones (trumpet), Orrin Evans (piano), Luques Curtis (bass) and Obed Calvaire (drums).
Released on Mack Avenue Records.
Jazz from the Pittsburgh scene.
Available at: Amazon
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By davesumner • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2014 Releases • 0