Nov 22 2018
The Round-up: Being there
Here is some very good new music
CLT Trio – Every Second is a Blues (Self-Produced)
The CLT Trio come out strong with the minimalist expressions, so that even later when they ramp up the volatility to a boiling point, there remains a sense of a dark, quiet night where the silence is interrupted only by the occasional chirping of crickets. What’s more, double bassist Casper Nyvang Rask, pianist Lars Fiil and drummer Terkel Nørgaard have given seven separate improvisations a remarkable cohesion. The pieces each have their own personality, but the flow from one to the next are like consecutive hours all belonging to the same day. Music from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp
The Marie Goudy 12tet – The Bitter Suite (Self-Produced)
The blast of harmonic warmth generated on this large ensemble session is by itself worth the price of admission, but it’s the subtle ways that Marie Goudy guides musicians to delicately weave their individual sounds into the flow of Jocelyn Barth’s vocals that represents the winning quality of The Bitter Suite. Also, Charlotte Alexander’s contribution bolsters my argument that there’s simply not enough French horn on modern jazz recordings. Music from Toronto, Ontario.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
Adison Evans – Meridian (Self-Produced)
There’s a straightforward expressiveness to the latest from Adison Evans that is seriously refreshing. There’s nothing over the top on Meridian. It’s got some tunes that groove, some that gently sway, others that bop along, and even some classical influence here and there… but all of it falls within the expected range of a modern post-bop recording. But the saxophonist attains a certain feel with each note, the way some orators can make everyday words ring with a greater meaning and force to drive their point home. That’s what Evans, her sextet and guests do on this solid recording. Music from NYC.
Artist site | Buy: Amazon
Noah Preminger & Rob Garcia Dead Composers Club – Chopin Project (Self-Produced)
It’s Frederic Chopin whose name graces the compositions on this session, but it’s not always obvious. That’s a big reason for this album’s charm. Some interpretations move with a solemn tone where others have a casual swing, while some turn the heat way way up. In truth, not knowing the album’s inspiration or source material doesn’t become an obstacle to enjoying this recording simply on its own merits. Tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger, guitarist Nate Radley, bassist Kim Cass and drummer Rob Garcia offer up music that is often subtle, except those sudden moments when its revealed for everything it is. I keep returning to this album throughout the year, and each time it’s a reminder of how affecting it is, like how photographs can return the emotional impact of the original experience. Music from NYC.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Amazon
John Christensen – Dear Friend (Shifting Paradigm Records)
There’s a real sense that John Christensen was locked into a melodic inspiration on this session. Right from the start and all the way through ’til the end, there’s an implication that every note is just an individual facet of one vision, and the bassist is simply examining it from every angle. Aside from a satisfying sense of cohesion, the end result is music that is absorbing in that same way that staring into the depths of a clear lake can lock the attention endlessly in place. The bassist is joined by pianist Johannes Wallmann, guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Andrew Green. Music from Madison, WI.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
The music of 
There’s always been a big sound to the compositions of 
If this title sounds familiar to you, it’s likely because you recently read my write-up of 
The melodies on the latest from 
Every note delivered on Lebroba is heavy with implications, a melodic weight that imparts its immediacy as well as its potential in the same breath. And yet, this weighty presence doesn’t hobble the music from flying free and light. The element most responsible for liftoff is the rhythmic patter from Andrew Cyrille. Like the wings of birds taking flight, his brush work is the swift but gentle motion that transforms the introspective tones from guitarist Bill Frisell and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith into something that borders on uplifting. This effect is most beneficial on those pieces where volatility is a key element, but the magnetic beauty of a ballad like “Pretty Beauty” shows Cyrille’s touch in all its brilliance.
There a pleasant meandering demeanor to this trio session from pianist 
Nov 23 2018
Recommended: Moskus – “Mirakler”
On their newest release Mirakler, a pattern emerges, and where once unpredictability was key to success, this sense of duality brings a different kind of satisfaction. The minimalist tendencies are yet present, but they are interspersed by equal doses of heavy melodicism, and those are often accompanied by something bordering on a groove.
The meandering “Anslag” slides easily into the catchy “Irsk Setter,” forgoing a preamble by way of interlude. “Sang Til C” drifts like clouds across a grey sky until the cheerful bounce of “Eventyrdagene” breaks through like a beam of sunlight. It’s that kind of transition back and forth, trading states of freedom for structure, that makes Mirakler so damn enjoyable, and where each state of expression engenders an appreciation for its counterpart.
I’ve been writing about Moskus for about as long as this site has been up and running. I hope to keep getting opportunities to do so. A fun, curious trio and that makes fun, curious music.
Your album personnel: Anja Lauvdal (grand piano, upright piano, MS10, Yamaha DX100, Hammond organ, electric organ), Hans Hulbækmo (drums, percussion, vibraphone, recorder, casio MT-65, electric org, musical saw) and Fredrik Luhr Dietrichson (double bass).
Released on Hubro Music.
Listen to more of the album on the artist’s Soundcloud page.
Music from Oslo, Norway.
Available at: Amazon
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By davesumner • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2018 • 0 • Tags: Hubro Music, Moskus, Oslo