Norwegian pianist Otto A Totland’s 2014 release Pinô is a splendid collection of eighteen delicate and intimate compositions, improvisations and short vignettes on the piano expressed as restrained miniatures. From the very first track “Open”, Pinô literally opens like a vintage music box, playing into a slow and exquisite …
Deaf Center: White lake
Introduced as “a haunting homage to the world of David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti”, Pale Ravine (2005) is Norwegian duo Deaf Center’s first full-length EP on the Type Records label. Inspired by “old silent 8mm film reels, the historical architecture around them and the call of the alluring Norwegian landscape”, Erik K. Skodvin …
The Gloaming
The Gloaming’s self-titled début album is simply magnificent. This is contemporary music that is both deeply rooted in traditional Irish music or Sean-nós singing and totally in tune with the 21st century musical zeitgeist. The group emerged in 2011 from the genuine convergence of kindred spirits who have known each other for a …
Jan Garbarek: Knot of Place and Time
Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek released the marvellous In Praise of Dreams in 2004. More than a solo recording, the whole album works as a conversation between himself, American/Armenian violist Kim Kashkashian and frequent collaborator French/Ivorian drummer Manu Katché. Underpinned by Jan Garbarek’s sparse use of …
Continue Reading about Jan Garbarek: Knot of Place and Time →
The Great Beauty
The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza - 2013) is a visually dazzling film by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino boasting a brilliant and eclectic soundtrack ranging from electro-pop to classical choral music. The film won the 2014 Golden Globe [update: and Oscar] in the “best foreign film” category. An unexpected …
Food: Moonpie
Food is an experimental jazz group formed in 1998 by Norwegian drummer and composer Thomas Strønen and UK saxophone player Iain Ballamy. Food originally recorded four albums as a quartet which included Norwegian musicians Arve Henriksen (trumpet/vocals) and Mats Eilertsen (double bass). Since 2006, the group reverted to its core …