ANDERS FJELDSTED SEXTET
Gateway Music
Rolf Thofte Lokke (trumpet); Oilly Wallace (alto saxophone, flute); Mads Lund Egetoft (tenor saxophone); Arthur Tuznik (piano); Anders Fjeldsted (double bass); Henrik Holst Hansen (drums, percussion)
Recorded Copenhagen, 2018-2019
Play or pass is often a dilemma when reviewing albums with so many new releases jockeying for position, but I am so glad that I had the good sense to press 'Play' on this particular set.
Fjeldsted is a Danish bassist who although not yet thirty has an impressive resumé that finds him constantly in demand in his home country and throughout Europe. Not only a fine bass player, he also shows himself to be an extremely impressive composer and arranger for the sextet, with an enjoyable and varied set presented on this the groups debut album.
The Sextet work within the contemporary hard bop idiom, and if 'Shinjuku' is unashamedly straight out of the Jazz Messengers school it is done with such compelling conviction and swing that makes the composition a pure joy. Elsewhere Fjeldsted, who wrote and arranged all the material, features a continuity of within the programme while nicely varying each piece to ensure that the listener's attention does not wane.
The musicians have been together as a unit for a few years and have built a solid connection and group sound. The rhythm section is supple and light on their feet, and pianist Arthur Tuznik's contributions are a constant source of delight. The three horn front line is confidently written for, and in the straight ahead and grooving 'The Underdog' and 'Danish Gambit' thhe exuberance f Rolfe Thoft Lokke and Oilly Wallace, on trumpet and alto respectively keep the fire burning. As a counterbalance tenor saxophonist , Mads Lund Egetoft is the perfect foil bringing a touch of gravitas to proceedings as on 'Two Chord Song', and on 'Borderland' with his use of multiphonics and superb tone that dominates the ensemble.
Overall the bassist keeps things interesting and moving with eight original compositions in just over forty minutes playing time. The writing is cleverly crafted for the Sextet with the closing 'Amphibians' throwing a bit of a curve ball with again Egetoft's tenor playing and the use of flute and arco bass in the ensemble. The flute is also heard with muted trumpet on the beautiful ballad, 'Enebacken' providing and uplifting for unison for Fjeldsted's composition which again features a fine contribution from the tenor saxophonist.
All in all a fine set that has been on constant rotation on my playlist since its arrival.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Gateway Music
Rolf Thofte Lokke (trumpet); Oilly Wallace (alto saxophone, flute); Mads Lund Egetoft (tenor saxophone); Arthur Tuznik (piano); Anders Fjeldsted (double bass); Henrik Holst Hansen (drums, percussion)
Recorded Copenhagen, 2018-2019
Play or pass is often a dilemma when reviewing albums with so many new releases jockeying for position, but I am so glad that I had the good sense to press 'Play' on this particular set.
Fjeldsted is a Danish bassist who although not yet thirty has an impressive resumé that finds him constantly in demand in his home country and throughout Europe. Not only a fine bass player, he also shows himself to be an extremely impressive composer and arranger for the sextet, with an enjoyable and varied set presented on this the groups debut album.
The Sextet work within the contemporary hard bop idiom, and if 'Shinjuku' is unashamedly straight out of the Jazz Messengers school it is done with such compelling conviction and swing that makes the composition a pure joy. Elsewhere Fjeldsted, who wrote and arranged all the material, features a continuity of within the programme while nicely varying each piece to ensure that the listener's attention does not wane.
The musicians have been together as a unit for a few years and have built a solid connection and group sound. The rhythm section is supple and light on their feet, and pianist Arthur Tuznik's contributions are a constant source of delight. The three horn front line is confidently written for, and in the straight ahead and grooving 'The Underdog' and 'Danish Gambit' thhe exuberance f Rolfe Thoft Lokke and Oilly Wallace, on trumpet and alto respectively keep the fire burning. As a counterbalance tenor saxophonist , Mads Lund Egetoft is the perfect foil bringing a touch of gravitas to proceedings as on 'Two Chord Song', and on 'Borderland' with his use of multiphonics and superb tone that dominates the ensemble.
Overall the bassist keeps things interesting and moving with eight original compositions in just over forty minutes playing time. The writing is cleverly crafted for the Sextet with the closing 'Amphibians' throwing a bit of a curve ball with again Egetoft's tenor playing and the use of flute and arco bass in the ensemble. The flute is also heard with muted trumpet on the beautiful ballad, 'Enebacken' providing and uplifting for unison for Fjeldsted's composition which again features a fine contribution from the tenor saxophonist.
All in all a fine set that has been on constant rotation on my playlist since its arrival.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
