Enja US レコード& CD

Review: When keyboardist Thomas Jonsson, guitarist and bassist oMar Gudjonsson, saxophonist oSkar Gudjonsson and drummer Magnus Trygvason Eliassen take the stage, they channel the raw resilience of Northern Europe's islanders who have endured long, icy winters for centuries. Their energy transcends genres and has proven to captivate jazz enthusiasts, rock fans and ravers alike. This primal, non-verbal expression predates language yet remains deeply contemporary by blending cosmic vastness with free imagination and profound mysticism. Their music is a convergence of timeless human impulses and fresh creativity. It's challenging but hugely rewarding.

Review: Ballads provide comfort and can elevate us when filled with genuine emotion and lead us into romance or reverie if we allow them. This second orchestral collaboration between renowned Swiss trumpeter Franco Ambrosetti and Grammy-winning arranger Alan Broadbent achieves this beautifully. The album's title reflects Franco's heartfelt approach on flugelhorn. Supported by an all-star lineup including pianist Broadbent, guitarist John Scofield, bassist Scott Colley, drummer Peter Erskine, and a 29-piece orchestra arranged and conducted by Broadbent, Ambrosetti masterfully tugs at heartstrings with a selection of four original compositions and four carefully chosen covers.