CD ECM Records Trygve Seim: The Source

2006

Trygve Seim - saxofoane
Oyvind Braekke - trombon
Mats Eilertsen - contrabas
Per Oddvar Johansen - tobe

This is more explicitly jazzy, with sax/trombone/bass/drums group the Source exploring a lazily animated, free-swing music influenced not only by Garbarek’s ghostly meditations but also by the more urgently quirky lines of Ornette Coleman. Trombonist Oyvind Braekke, a Coleman fan, has a bigger influence on this set than on previous ones, and drummer Per Oddvar Johansen and bassist Mats Eilertsen stir in fluid, restless undercurrents. For Seim stalwarts, however, there a re plenty of long trombone notes, spacey bass figures, whispering sax, cymbal washes and even some perkily assertive swing. This may be the most creative band at the sharp end of the north European scene.
John Fordham, The Guardian

Coloured by the urbane, vibrant horn players, saxophonist Trygve Seim and trombonist Oyvind Braekke, the themes on this wistful yet rousing album have a levity and gravity that betrays enviable musical ability and a sharp communicative edge. … Bassist Mats Eilertsen and drummer Per Oddvar Johansen come into their own here bringing a brawn and lightness of touch to proceedings but what The Source really have in their favour is a cohesive ensemble voice accommodating the concrete narrative of song and the more abstract raconteurship of improvisation with admirable aplomb.
Kevin Le Gendre, Echoes

The Source play in an economical style that moves confidently between tight composition and looser structures while always retaining a keen sense of melody. Braeke and Seim’s obvious and at times, uncanny understanding aside, one of the group’s great strengths is their variety ranging from melancholic ballad through folksy spiritual to mischievous grooving and more.
Rob Adams, The Herald