Nyheder
27.09.2023
Europe Jazz Media Chart
Oktober 2023
Krzysztof Komorek, Donos kulturalny
Gard Nilssen’s Supersonic Orchestra: FAMILY (WeJazz)
Gard Nilssen has managed to create an orchestra that, in this competitive environment, is at the very top, if not on the top step of the podium. The friendly and even – as the title suggests – familial understanding within the orchestra paid off with sensational music. I will repeat here one of the compliments that came to my mind after hearing the group live: they are simply cosmically superb.
Jan Granlie, salt-peanuts.eu
Todd Sickafoose: BEAR PROOF (SHC54)
Todd Sickafoose is an American jazz and rock musician, composer and producer from San Francisco. He is best known for playing acoustic bass and keyboards with rock vocalist Ani DiFranco but has also led his own group: Todd Sickafoose’s Tiny Resistors. On his new release, he collaborates with Jenny Scheinmann (vln), Adam Levy (g), Erik Deutsch (p), Ben Goldberg (cl), Kirk Knuffke (cnt), Rob Reich (acc) and Allison Miller (d), while Sickafoose (b) is responsible for the nine compositions. And it’s a tough and varied record that we get to listen to. Sickafosoe writes interesting compositions that challenge the driven “team” of fellow musicians, and the composition of instruments works extremely well throughout the recording. Of course, we allow ourselves, as always, to be fascinated by Knuffke’s playing. Here, there is as much tradition as innovation in the game, and Levy fits perfectly into the context. But I am most impressed by the bass and Miller’s fine drums, which draw the music into a fine landscape. And where Scheinmann gets to shine with her violin playing, it sounds brilliant. And Goldberg’s clarinet playing is ongoing and fine, and where he gets to frolic, it swings impeccably. The music is extremely varied, with inspirations from many different musical genres, from swing, via klezmer and Americana to solid free jazz. And all the way through, the music is fun, interesting, and exciting, and throughout, the band performs excellently.
Dick Hovenga, Written in Music
Matthew Halsall: AN EVER CHANGING VIEW (Gondwana)
The soulful spiritual jazz that Halsall makes is by now a world all its own. To a benevolent body of work, he now adds an insanely beautiful new album. Halsall, with his constantly beautiful melodic trumpet lines, sets the beacons on which he allows the other musicians to improvise. Halsall is not so much a virtuoso soloist as he is a perfect creator of atmosphere, exactly what his compositions need to keep them captivating. A true bandleader, then, who understands exactly what is needed where and trusts the musicians around him optimally.
Christine Stephan, Jazzthetik
Lars Cölln (alias Cologne): COMON SENSE (Elevating)