Mikkel Ploug has a remarkable talent for creating music that is highly conversant, yet still casts a palpable serenity. The guitarist attains this balance flawlessly when matched against the vocal harmonics & electronics of Sissel Vera Pettersen and clarinetist Joachim Badenhorst with the trio Equilibrium, and it’s no different with his trio of bassist Jeppe Skovbakke and drummer Sean Carpio. So, it comes as no surprise that the same potent combination of activity and tranquility is present when Ploug offers up a solo session recording. As far as influence goes, Alleviation has an ephemeral nature, not owing itself to any one allegiance or school. But this is the kind of album where the only thing worth doing is sitting transfixed by its sheer beauty and just allowing that to become the atmosphere you breathe for as long as the album continues. Music from Copenhagen, Denmark.
An enjoyable straight-ahead set from the septet Holophonor. The complementary melodic interactions between vibraphone and the wind instruments goes a long way to getting to the heart of this album’s success. Equally effective are how the ensemble coalesces around the various soloists, adding strength to those moments that call for intensity and providing nuance when softer voices are the course of action. Good stuff. The album is produced by Wayne Shorter, which can’t hurt to know. Music from L.A. & NYC.
Sjøvaag/Seglem/Hole – West Wind Drift (Shipwreckords)
This album may well be a cloud… ephemeral and hazy and a tendency to drift. But every now and then, the album suddenly darkens, the music gains a presence that wasn’t there before, and then suddenly the rains come pouring down. That’s the fallout of this live, improvised performance by the trio of drummer Jonas Sjøvaag, saxophonist Karl Seglem and bassist Sigurd Hole… an album that doesn’t ask anything of your attention until it suddenly grabs it tight and won’t let go. Music from Oslo, Norway.
This interesting little duo collaboration between vibraphonist Jim Hart and drummer-percussionist Alfred Vogel certainly casts its charm via a diverse rhythmic display, but it’s how they shape melodic fragments between one another, as if passing an idea back and forth in quick succession, is where the real intrigue lies. That said, the twitchy rhythms and elastic tempos go a long way to supplying the fun, too.
There’s a lighthearted nature to this lovely album from pianist Bruno Delucchi, and it balances nicely with its deeply felt melodicism. Delucchi’s quintet hits the right balance between dedication to the composition and freedom to deviate from the preordained path. The influence of Argentinean folk is prominent, and how it brings out the album’s lyricism is a welcome effect. Very easy to fall for this one. Unfussy and gets right to the point. Music from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Bird is the Worm is very proud to feature an exclusive preview of the new album from Mikkel Ploug. The guitarist has a remarkable talent for creating music that is highly conversant, yet still casts a palpable serenity. He attains this balance flawlessly when matched against the vocal harmonics…
Adjust your budgets accordingly, because Mikkel Ploug and Mark Turner have recorded an absolutely gorgeous album. Faroe hits the shelves on August 17th, 2018 courtesy of Sunnyside Records. The guitarist and saxophonist have a relationship that goes back ten years, both from touring and a couple collaborations on the…
One of the truly absorbing albums I've encountered lately is Liquid Light by Equilibrium, a trio of guitarist Mikkel Ploug, clarinetist Joachim Badenhorst and vocalist Sissel Vera Pettersen, who also slips some soprano sax into the mix as well as some well placed electronics and effects to go along…
Jan 11 2018
The Round-up: When the city sleeps, it dreams of you
Here is some very good new music.
Mikkel Ploug – Alleviation (Songlines Recordings)
Mikkel Ploug has a remarkable talent for creating music that is highly conversant, yet still casts a palpable serenity. The guitarist attains this balance flawlessly when matched against the vocal harmonics & electronics of Sissel Vera Pettersen and clarinetist Joachim Badenhorst with the trio Equilibrium, and it’s no different with his trio of bassist Jeppe Skovbakke and drummer Sean Carpio. So, it comes as no surprise that the same potent combination of activity and tranquility is present when Ploug offers up a solo session recording. As far as influence goes, Alleviation has an ephemeral nature, not owing itself to any one allegiance or school. But this is the kind of album where the only thing worth doing is sitting transfixed by its sheer beauty and just allowing that to become the atmosphere you breathe for as long as the album continues. Music from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
Holophonor – Light Magnet (World Galaxy Records)
An enjoyable straight-ahead set from the septet Holophonor. The complementary melodic interactions between vibraphone and the wind instruments goes a long way to getting to the heart of this album’s success. Equally effective are how the ensemble coalesces around the various soloists, adding strength to those moments that call for intensity and providing nuance when softer voices are the course of action. Good stuff. The album is produced by Wayne Shorter, which can’t hurt to know. Music from L.A. & NYC.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
Sjøvaag/Seglem/Hole – West Wind Drift (Shipwreckords)
This album may well be a cloud… ephemeral and hazy and a tendency to drift. But every now and then, the album suddenly darkens, the music gains a presence that wasn’t there before, and then suddenly the rains come pouring down. That’s the fallout of this live, improvised performance by the trio of drummer Jonas Sjøvaag, saxophonist Karl Seglem and bassist Sigurd Hole… an album that doesn’t ask anything of your attention until it suddenly grabs it tight and won’t let go. Music from Oslo, Norway.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
Jim Hart & Alfred Vogel – Come Rain, Come Shine (Boomslang Records)
This interesting little duo collaboration between vibraphonist Jim Hart and drummer-percussionist Alfred Vogel certainly casts its charm via a diverse rhythmic display, but it’s how they shape melodic fragments between one another, as if passing an idea back and forth in quick succession, is where the real intrigue lies. That said, the twitchy rhythms and elastic tempos go a long way to supplying the fun, too.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp
Bruno Delucchi Grupo – Las Meninas (Kuai Music)
There’s a lighthearted nature to this lovely album from pianist Bruno Delucchi, and it balances nicely with its deeply felt melodicism. Delucchi’s quintet hits the right balance between dedication to the composition and freedom to deviate from the preordained path. The influence of Argentinean folk is prominent, and how it brings out the album’s lyricism is a welcome effect. Very easy to fall for this one. Unfussy and gets right to the point. Music from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
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First Listen: Mikkel Ploug – “Alleviation”
Bird is the Worm is very proud to feature an exclusive preview of the new album from Mikkel Ploug. The guitarist has a remarkable talent for creating music that is highly conversant, yet still casts a palpable serenity. He attains this balance flawlessly when matched against the vocal harmonics…
In "Album Preview"
Preview “Faroe,” the upcoming new release from Mikkel Ploug & Mark Turner
Adjust your budgets accordingly, because Mikkel Ploug and Mark Turner have recorded an absolutely gorgeous album. Faroe hits the shelves on August 17th, 2018 courtesy of Sunnyside Records. The guitarist and saxophonist have a relationship that goes back ten years, both from touring and a couple collaborations on the…
In "Album Preview"
Recommended: Equilibrium – “Liquid Light”
One of the truly absorbing albums I've encountered lately is Liquid Light by Equilibrium, a trio of guitarist Mikkel Ploug, clarinetist Joachim Badenhorst and vocalist Sissel Vera Pettersen, who also slips some soprano sax into the mix as well as some well placed electronics and effects to go along…
In "Jazz Recommendations"
By davesumner • Jazz Recommendations - 2017 releases • 0 • Tags: Alfred Vogel, Boomslang Records, Bruno Delucchi, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Holophonor, Jim Hart, Jonas Sjøvaag, Karl Seglem, Kuai Music, Los Angeles (CA), Mikkel Ploug, Oslo, Shipwreckords, Sigurd Hole, Songlines Recordings, The Round-Up, World Galaxy Records