HAFTOR MEDBØE / JACOB KARLZON - Hope
Copperfly Records CAT001
Haftor Medbøe (guitar); Jacob Karlzon (piano)
The Norwegian born guitarist, Haftor Medbøe has been a Scottish resident for many years, and a full-time lecturer at Edinburgh Napier since 2009, and despite a heavy work schedule with the University he has still found time to write, perform and record with a substantial discography as leader. From his numerous encounters over the years with musicians from across Europe and beyond, he has established some strong musical connections and these are now bearing fruit in a series of planned vinyl releases, of which this superb mini album is the first (there is another album scheduled for release in June).
This initial vinyl release on the Copperfly Records label features the guitarist in four stunning duets with Swedish pianist, Jacob Karlzon. Karlzon also has his own burgeoning career with own trio along with work with artists Silje Nergaard, Nils Landgren and Viktoria Tolstoy, and it is to our good fortune that the two musicians have been able get together to record the music presented here.
The emphasis is very much on melody, and if these are appear simply and quietly stated then think again. Delicate in the main they may be but the thought that has gone into the arrangements, and the empathy in which they are played speaks volumes. Side A opens with 'Hope' that has the melody played beautifully by Haftor, with gentle and uplifting accompaniment from Karlzon. The guitarist keeps the original theme very much in mind during his solo, that never loses focus and this is picked up and continued by the pianist. This feeling is similarly felt in the following 'Waiting' that has another fine solo from Medbøe, with Karlzon stretching out a little further in his contribution, with an expansive and more exploratory nature.
If the first two pieces could be construed as anticipatory, the hope and patience in waiting for things to come, then Side B expresses relief and joy when the wait may be over, with 'Tranquil' bringing a peaceful and heartfelt release. Both guitar and piano are allowed to savour the beauty of the music with every note, nuance and silence allowed to speak. The closing track 'Return' is a joyous celebratory piece, that suggests the return in question is most welcome and again the guitar and piano blend seamlessly to convey their message.
It is both inevitable and right that the music has traces of both Nordic and Scandinavian jazz traditions, and rather than let the weight of what has gone before hold back the flow of the music, the duo look forward and extend our perceptions of the music of their Homeland. Duet recordings may be plentiful in supply, but there are few that are as compelling as this, and if there is only space in your collection for one more then it really should be this one.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Copperfly Records CAT001
Haftor Medbøe (guitar); Jacob Karlzon (piano)
The Norwegian born guitarist, Haftor Medbøe has been a Scottish resident for many years, and a full-time lecturer at Edinburgh Napier since 2009, and despite a heavy work schedule with the University he has still found time to write, perform and record with a substantial discography as leader. From his numerous encounters over the years with musicians from across Europe and beyond, he has established some strong musical connections and these are now bearing fruit in a series of planned vinyl releases, of which this superb mini album is the first (there is another album scheduled for release in June).
This initial vinyl release on the Copperfly Records label features the guitarist in four stunning duets with Swedish pianist, Jacob Karlzon. Karlzon also has his own burgeoning career with own trio along with work with artists Silje Nergaard, Nils Landgren and Viktoria Tolstoy, and it is to our good fortune that the two musicians have been able get together to record the music presented here.
The emphasis is very much on melody, and if these are appear simply and quietly stated then think again. Delicate in the main they may be but the thought that has gone into the arrangements, and the empathy in which they are played speaks volumes. Side A opens with 'Hope' that has the melody played beautifully by Haftor, with gentle and uplifting accompaniment from Karlzon. The guitarist keeps the original theme very much in mind during his solo, that never loses focus and this is picked up and continued by the pianist. This feeling is similarly felt in the following 'Waiting' that has another fine solo from Medbøe, with Karlzon stretching out a little further in his contribution, with an expansive and more exploratory nature.
If the first two pieces could be construed as anticipatory, the hope and patience in waiting for things to come, then Side B expresses relief and joy when the wait may be over, with 'Tranquil' bringing a peaceful and heartfelt release. Both guitar and piano are allowed to savour the beauty of the music with every note, nuance and silence allowed to speak. The closing track 'Return' is a joyous celebratory piece, that suggests the return in question is most welcome and again the guitar and piano blend seamlessly to convey their message.
It is both inevitable and right that the music has traces of both Nordic and Scandinavian jazz traditions, and rather than let the weight of what has gone before hold back the flow of the music, the duo look forward and extend our perceptions of the music of their Homeland. Duet recordings may be plentiful in supply, but there are few that are as compelling as this, and if there is only space in your collection for one more then it really should be this one.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
