ERIK THORMOD HALVORSEN SEXTET - Social Call
Losen: LOS189-2
Erik Thormod Halvorsen: trumpet, flugelhorn; Dave Edge: tenor saxophone, flute; Freddy Hoel Nilsen: piano; Frode Kjekstad: guitar; Agnar Aspaas: bass; Lars Erik Norum: drums; Odd Krogh: trumpet; Kjell Olav Martinsen: French horn; Harald Halvorsen: trombone: Oivind Westby: bass trombone.
Recorded 5th-8th October, 2017, by Morten Hermansen at Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Studio 20
This is a follow-up to 2015’s ‘Uppercase’ CD and continues to mine a rich vein of warm, lyrical, richly melodic jazz. The line-up for most of the tracks looks and sounds like a classic sextet from the 1950s, with a trumpet and tenor sax playing a Cool frontline and rhythm section providing smooth support, complete with vamping guitar, brushed drums and solid piano chords. It comes as no surprise to find Halvorsen name-check Clifford Brown as one of his trumpet heroes in the liner notes. There is an honesty in playing and warmth in the tone that Halvorsen has inherited from him. The selection of pieces include classic tunes from the likes of Theolonius Monk, Johnny Green, Michel Legrand and Gigi Gryce, and these sit well with the pieces composed by Halversen himself.
The ensemble is expanded to tackles Monk’s Ruby my dear (track 3) and ‘Exit summer’ (track 9), a Hlaverosen original. This expanded ensemble includes trombones, French horn and additional trumpets to give the feel of a swing band. ‘Ruby my dear’ begins with soft piano and a sax solo, with other instruments gentle swaying in accompaniment, and the collective instruments on ‘Exit summer’ has play in a muted, slightly South American syncopation. For me, highlight of the CD is Kjekstad’s introduction to the closing number, a contemplative version of ‘Body and Soul’, and the way that Halvorsen’s trumpet solo slides effortlessly into the piece. This is not a recording which seeks to overwhelm the listener with bullish or frenzied horns, but rather a fine example how restrained, calm playing can be equally as rewarding.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
Losen: LOS189-2
Erik Thormod Halvorsen: trumpet, flugelhorn; Dave Edge: tenor saxophone, flute; Freddy Hoel Nilsen: piano; Frode Kjekstad: guitar; Agnar Aspaas: bass; Lars Erik Norum: drums; Odd Krogh: trumpet; Kjell Olav Martinsen: French horn; Harald Halvorsen: trombone: Oivind Westby: bass trombone.
Recorded 5th-8th October, 2017, by Morten Hermansen at Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Studio 20
This is a follow-up to 2015’s ‘Uppercase’ CD and continues to mine a rich vein of warm, lyrical, richly melodic jazz. The line-up for most of the tracks looks and sounds like a classic sextet from the 1950s, with a trumpet and tenor sax playing a Cool frontline and rhythm section providing smooth support, complete with vamping guitar, brushed drums and solid piano chords. It comes as no surprise to find Halvorsen name-check Clifford Brown as one of his trumpet heroes in the liner notes. There is an honesty in playing and warmth in the tone that Halvorsen has inherited from him. The selection of pieces include classic tunes from the likes of Theolonius Monk, Johnny Green, Michel Legrand and Gigi Gryce, and these sit well with the pieces composed by Halversen himself.
The ensemble is expanded to tackles Monk’s Ruby my dear (track 3) and ‘Exit summer’ (track 9), a Hlaverosen original. This expanded ensemble includes trombones, French horn and additional trumpets to give the feel of a swing band. ‘Ruby my dear’ begins with soft piano and a sax solo, with other instruments gentle swaying in accompaniment, and the collective instruments on ‘Exit summer’ has play in a muted, slightly South American syncopation. For me, highlight of the CD is Kjekstad’s introduction to the closing number, a contemplative version of ‘Body and Soul’, and the way that Halvorsen’s trumpet solo slides effortlessly into the piece. This is not a recording which seeks to overwhelm the listener with bullish or frenzied horns, but rather a fine example how restrained, calm playing can be equally as rewarding.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
