CD ECM Records Tord Gustavsen Ensemble: Restored, Returned

2009

Tord Gustavsen - pian
Tore Brunborg - saxofon tenor si sopran
Kristin Asbjornsen - voce
Mats Eilertsen - contrabas
Jarle Vespestad - tobe

After a trilogy of highly successful trio albums (“Changing Places”, “The Ground”, “Being There”), Tord Gustavsen branches off in new directions. His new band adds two players familiar to ECM listeners – bassist Mats Eilertsen and saxophonist Tore Brunborg – and introduces the blues-inflected voice of Kristin Asbjørnsen on Tord’s settings of the poetry of W.H. Auden. Inside the ensemble, duo and trio interaction unfolds, taking off from the clear melodic language of Gustavsen’s songwriting.


Jazzman/Jazzmagazine, Choc du mois
Consigliato di Musica Jazz

The music, again, has the pared-down simplicity and the pull of opposites that mark Gustavsen’s work – the sense of transience and celebration, joy and sadness, intellect and emotion. This tension gives the gorgeous little pieces here a freshness and depth behind their melodic grace. … Asbjørnsen is just one strong, personal colour among others. In a quintet so alert to the demands of the music, it’s striking how Gustavsen has drawn on and responded to their personal qualities and blended them into a unified whole.
Ray Comiskey, The Irish Times

With the minimum of fuss, the Nordic master of less-is-more piano has won an international audience. Here he broadens his palette… In various combinations, the players conjure a spare beauty from lullabies, hymns and ballads.
John Bungey, The Times

With an expanded ensemble, Gustavsen offers a series of vignettes using the ensemble in various combinations… Vocalist Asbjørnsen features on six tracks, her undemonstrative approach perfectly suited to Gustavsen’s music… Brunborg’s saxophone tone has the same quiet authority as Asbjørnsen’s voice. … Gustavsen has embarked on another intriguing musical odyssey that will be fascinating to follow.
Stuart Nicholson, Jazzwise