Mikkel Ploug

Feb 8 2019

You deserve some videos. Let’s watch some videos.

 

You deserve a video post.  Yes, you.  And here it is.  Let’s begin…

Oh my god, I love this first video.  It’s from Christoph Irniger Pilgrim and it’s the tune “Improvisation in C Major,” which is on his latest release Crosswinds.  This gorgeous video is shot by Kohei Yamaguchi.  Yes, music world, more videos like this please.  More music like this, too.

This video has all the attributes that veteran readers of this site know I look for:  trains, boats, moody city skylines, seagulls, city street scenes… I’m probably forgetting some stuff, but you get the point.  It’s got it all…

I included Crosswinds in my latest Best Jazz on Bandcamp column, so go check that out and tell them I said hello.

Here’s something a little different from Mikkel Ploug.  It features Ploug’s “A New Logic,” which is a melody transcription of philosopher Alain Badiou.  It also includes dance by Tilman O’Donnell and was filmed at the Århus Rådhus.

Be sure to also check out Ploug’s 2018 release Faroe.

And let’s wrap up today’s column with an in-studio performance of the song “Rue du Jour” from the upcoming new release by Fanny Gunnarsson.  The new album will reportedly be released in March, so you won’t have long to wait to hear more.

The quartet is Fanny Gunnarsson (piano), Karolina Almgren (soprano sax), Kristian Rimshult (bass) and Hannes Olbers (drums).

And be sure to check out Gunnarsson’s 2017 release Mirrors.

 

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Jun 23 2018

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 Fresh Sound label.  That it leads up to this beautiful new album shows none of that time was wasted.

Here’s two tracks from that album:

At some point, the Sunnyside Records Bandcamp page will allow you to pre-order the album.  Same with Amazon.

Explore the music of Mikkel Ploug on Bird is the Worm.

Explore the music of Mark Turner on Bird is the Worm.

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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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