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Trygve Seim, Frode Haltli, Our Time, ECM ***

An unusual combination: saxophone and accordion in duo.



This Norwegian pair have form.




Together they released Yeraz in 2008 on the same issuing label - an album even more mystical in nature that also encompassed a fairly unique version of Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song.'




Here besides the clearly labelled improvisations which make up a good chunk of the album the repertoire still spools off into all sorts of directions.




Folk songs from Ukraine and North India


One of the improv pieces even leads into a take on the fifth of Stravinsky's 'Five Fingers' .


And there are originals and folk songs from Ukraine and North India as part of the blend.


Stately sonics

Recorded at the Church of the Ascension - the Himmelfahrtskirche - in Munich last year, it's all beyond genre. And the sonics are stately and momentous sounding befitting the sanctified nature of the sacred space.



It's all of no little interest to open minded fans who like to explore adjacent moods and compatible ideas of improvisation building up from the traditions of other types of music often far from regular jazz styles. We liked Seim's piece 'Arabian Tango' most of all. But maybe Our Time casts its net a little too widely.


The full album is out on Friday.


Trygve Seim and Frode Haltli, photo Hubert P. Klotzeck/ECM 

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