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MARIUS NESET / TRONDHEIM JAZZ ORCHESTRA Lion ACT 9031-2

1. Lion

2. Golden Xplosion

3. In the Ring

4. Interlude

5. Sacred Universe

6. Weight of the World

7. Raining

8. Birds

Marius Neset - Tenor and soprano saxophone

Hanna Paulsberg - Tenor saxophone

Peter Fuglsang - Alto saxophone, flute and clarinet

Eirik Hegdal - Baritone and soprano saxophone

Elvind Lenning - Trumpet

Erik Eilertsen - Trumpet

Erik Johannesen - Trombone

Daniel Herskedal - Tuba

Jovan Pavlovic - Accordion

Espen Berg - Piano

Petter Eldh - Bass

Gard Nilssen - Drums, percussion, vibraphone and marimba

Additional flute and piccolo flute on tracks 5 and 8: Ingrid Neset

Trondheim in Norway has a population of approx 180,000, roughly equivalent to Basildon, so it's a surprise to find it has a jazz orchestra at all, let alone one that has recorded with the likes of Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and Joshua Redman. Neset comes from Bergen, Norway's second largest city, but received his musical education in Copenhagen where he was mentored by British pianist/composer, Django Bates. Michael Brecker and, not surprisingly, Jan Garbarek, are major influences on his saxophone playing. The collaboration between Neset and the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra began in 2011 when Neset was commissioned to compose music for a concert at the Molde Jazz Festival. They have since played together many times and this CD features those commissioned compositions.

The music on this CD is far removed from the usual broody reflections associated with Nordic music. It is often wild and anarchic and, occasionally, exhilarating. Most of the tracks feature minimalist themes with insistent rhythms punctuated by sudden explosions of brass. Neset clearly has a gift for creating colourful ensemble arrangements. At its best, as on the last two tracks, his writing is as richly-textured as that of Maria Schneider.

Soloists are not identified but it has to be assumed that all saxophone solos are by Neset himself. Pianist Espen Berg has a flamboyant solo on Weight of the World and introduces the quietly hypnotic Raining. The standard of playing throughout is impressive and indicative of the striking depth of musical talent in Norway.

A CD that demands and rewards concentrated listening.

George Stacy

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