Bjørnstad, Ketil: Remembrance

Over the past forty years classically trained Norwegian pianist Ketil Bjørnstad has come to be regarded as one the leading talents operating in the jazz world. While he's appeared on more than fifty albums since he first stepped out as a bandleader in the early 70's, it's the music that he's recorded over the years for the premier jazz label ECM that has yielded some of his most compelling compositions and performances. His latest release entitled Remembrance continues that tradition of excellence. Drawing on decades of collaborative experiences with legendary drummer Jon Christensen, one of many key musicians in the ECM stable, label head Manfred Eicher suggested adding saxophonist Tore Brunborg into the mix and thus a new trio was born. Remembrance marks the first time these musicians have recorded together but judging by the incredible amount of depth contained within these eleven, untitled compositions it's hard to imagine the results being any more rewarding.

Recorded in just a single day's session which is fast even by Eicher's standards of recording, these introspective improvisations are highlighted by Bjørnstad's absolutely gorgeous, wistful piano melodies, Brunborg's sweeping sax passages and Christensen's trademark fluid, and ever so delicate percussive accents. On a recording such as this, one that reaches directly into the very heart and soul of the listener, drawing out a wealth of emotions in the process, it's difficult to point out particular moments that stand out. It's as if these beautifully layered musical textures were somehow predesigned to bring about all your past remembrances, as the utterly compelling performances laid down by these seasoned veterans hold you spellbound for the better part of an hour. There isn't a single note wasted anywhere on Remembrance and in my opinion the rich musical dialogue exchanged between these musicians are best experienced from beginning to end. In other words you're going to have to completely unplug yourself from the outside world for an hour in order to fully reap the benefits of this disc, something which shouldn't be too hard to do.

Ketil Bjørnstad's Remembrance is just another splendid example of how ECM continues to bring both superior sounding recordings and first class musicians to the jazz world. Do yourself a favor and seek this one out, you will not be disappointed.

Track Listing
1) I
2) II
3) III
4) IV
5) V
6) VI
7) VII
8) VIII
9) IX
10) X
11) XI

Added: August 11th 2010
Reviewer: Ryan Sparks
Score:
Related Link: ECM
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Language: english

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