Feb 26 2013
Mats Eilertsen Trio – “Sails Set”
Sails Set, the new release by bassist Mats Eilertsen is a fascinating glimpse into the creative well from which he pulls from. Most tracks are short, acting as de facto interludes for one another. They give little peeks into creative ideas without expressly illustrating the fullness of what those ideas might become. The songs pique curiosity, and it’s as if watching one vignette after the other or, perhaps, viewing waves of light through only one facet of a finely cut diamond.
Stronen’s percussion adds mystery, and without ever really raising its voice, he substantively moves the trio in abstract directions, keeping it from ever becoming just another Nordic Jazz recording. For the most part, his contributions on Sails Set would best be described as mercurial. On track “Orbiting,” unexpected bursts of percussion and unpredictable cadences are the only consistencies. And also on “The Lighthouse,” which whispers a melody over haunted graveyard percussion.
Fraanje meets Stronen half way about half the time. On “Stone and Sand” and “Music Box,” the two engage in a series of percussive entanglements, trading rhythms that, by themselves, would possess no particular meaning, but taken together, make for an intoxicating crosshatch of variable sounds. But on a tune like the title-track “Sails Set,” Fraanje creates a meditative serenity with an economy of well-placed notes that rest plumb against Stronen’s path.
On bass, Eilertsen sticks to two approaches, either working the tune from out front and in the upper registers or from burrowing beneath the melody to gain an earthy resonance. On “Lunar Light,” Eilertsen calls out on bass with both the patience and hypnotic sway of a forest creek while Stronen adds a little rhythmic shading at the edges. Whereas, on “Currents,” they switch roles, and Eilertsen keeps to the shadows while Stronen offers rhythmic concepts with furtive mannerisms.
An album that gives so much with so little and makes the ear crave just a little bit more. Not a bad way to leave the listener looking forward to what comes next.
Your album personnel: Mats Eilertsen (bass), Thomas Stronen (drums, percussion), and Harmen Fraanje (piano).
Released on the Hubro Music label.
Listen to more of the album on the artist’s Bandcamp page.
Music from Eidsvoll Verk, Norway.
Jan 1 2014
Best of 2013
For each album considered for inclusion, I was looking for it to hit me right in my heart, provoke a strong emotional reaction. I was also looking for it to engage my brain, provide some intrigue or fascination with the music being presented. Extra points were awarded for doing Something Different or building on a premise that embraced the best qualities of creativity. Strong musicianship alone is not enough. Many solid albums didn’t make the list. It literally pains me when I see some of the albums that weren’t included. But I listen to a lot of music, and one of the rare downsides to encountering so much great Jazz is that some of it won’t receive the recognition it deserves. So there you have it.
These are not reviews. They are simple thoughts, reminiscences, fragments of recollections, and brief opinions about how each album struck me both now and when I first heard it. There is a link to a more formal review following each entry… that’s where you go to find out what’s what about each recording. Most reviews are accompanied with embedded audio so you can hear some of the music, as well as personnel and label information, links to artist, label, and retail sites, and anything else that seemed relevant at the time I wrote the review.
Let’s begin…
Album of the Year: Jaimeo Brown – Transcendence
The power of this music is apparent right from the start. The recording is a livewire of electricity, and yet has a self-contained fire that is all blues and all heart. This album has a massive presence, and comports itself as such regardless of whether the song is a display of unrestrained dissonant fury or the softest touch of soulful melody.
About as powerful a statement as an artist could make for their debut. Outstanding. The Bird is the Worm 2013 Album of the Year.
Released on Motema Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
2. Emilio Teubal – Música Para un Dragon Dormido
Released on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
3. Arun Ghosh – A South Asian Suite
Released on Camoci Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
4. Ben Goldberg – Unfold Ordinary Mind
Released on BAG Production Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
5. Nicolas Moreaux – Fall Somewhere
Released on Fresh Sound New Talent.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
6. Tim Horner – The Head of the Circle
Released on Origin Arts.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
7. Reijseger / Fraanje / Sylla – Down Deep
Released on Winter & Winter.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
8. Anna Webber – Percussive Mechanics
Released on Pirouet Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
9. John Zorn – The Mysteries
Released on the Tzadik label.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
10. Nicole Mitchell’s Ice Crystal – Aquarius
Released on Delmark Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
11. Ches Smith & These Arches – Hammered
Released on Clean Feed Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
12. Pablo Ablanedo Octet(o) – ReContraDoble
Released on Creative Nation Music.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
13. Nilson Matta – Black Orpheus
Released on Motema Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
14. Dan Tepfer & Ben Wendel – Small Constructions
Released on Sunnyside Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
15. Mary Halvorson Septet – Illusionary Sea
Released on Firehouse 12 Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
16. Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society – Brooklyn Babylon
Released on New Amsterdam Records.
A Bird is the Worm article HERE.
17. Alan Blackman – The Coastal Suite
The album is Self-Produced.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
18. Frank Wess – Magic 101
Released on IPO Recordings.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
19. Will Martina – Modular Living By Design
The album is Self-Produced.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
20. Operation Northwoods – The Bureau of Fiction
Released on PJCE Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
21. Brian Landrus Kaleidoscope – Mirage
Released on BlueLand Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
22. Gary Burton Quartet – Guided Tour
Released on Mack Avenue Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
23. Matt Holman’s Diversion Ensemble – When Flooded
Released on Brooklyn Jazz Underground.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
24. Damir Out Loud – Graduation Day
Released on Unit Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
25. Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra – The Reason Why Vol. 1
Released on Headspin Recordings.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
26. Mike McGinnis – Ängsudden Song Cycle
Released on 482 Music.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
27. Christian Muthspiel 4 – Seaven Teares
Released on ACT Music.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
28. Power of the Horns – Alaman
Released on For-Tune Records.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
29. Cliff Hines – Wanderlust
The album is Self-Produced.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
30. Nashaz – Nashaz
The album is Self-Produced.
A Bird is the Worm review HERE.
Like this:
By davesumner • Recap: Best of 2013 • 0 • Tags: 482 Music, ACT Music, Alan Blackman, Anna Webber, Arun Ghosh, BAG Productions, Ben Goldberg, Ben Wendel, Best of 2013, Bill Frisell, BlueLand Records, Brian Landrus, Brian Prunka, Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records, Camoci label, Carol Emanuel, Ches Smith, Christian Muthspiel, Clean Feed Records, Cliff Hines, Creative Nation Music, Damir Out Loud, Dan Tepfer, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Delmark Records, Emilio Teubal, Ernst Reijseger, Firehouse 12 Records, For-Tune Records, Frank Wess, Fresh Sound New Talent label, Gary Burton, Goran Kajfes, Harmen Fraanje, Headspin Recordings label, IPO Recordings, Jaimeo Brown, John Zorn, Kenny Wollesen, Mack Avenue Records, Mary Halvorson, Matt Holman, Mike McGinnis, Mola Sylla, Motema Records label, Nashaz, New Amsterdam Records, Nicolas Moreaux, Nicole Mitchell, Nilson Matta, Operation Northwoods, Origin/OA2 Records, Pablo Ablanedo, Pirouet Records label, PJCE Records, Power of the Horns, Self-Produced, Sunnyside Records, Tim Horner, Tzadik label, Unit Records label, Will Martina, Winter and Winter Music