A long way from swinging a standard or dipping into the pages of the Great American Songbook, Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen has always delivered a sound apart. It's quiet, hushed, hugely tasteful with something of the discipline of a classical atmosphere and a careful logical ramping up of emotion and an inner contemplative sense. Opening isn't very different from earlier works by Gustavsen. He dips into his own sound with ''new'' bassist Steinar Raknes and the trio's longstanding drummer Jarle Vespestad whose role really is to accompany decorously and best on brushes. Raknes breaks free sometimes to deliver some interesting solos say on 'Stream' and seems to suit the sound very well. An album that will delight Gustavsen's many fans because he continues to give us what we want: an oasis of a sound that is as much mindfulness as anything else. The Gustavsen trio are touring in the spring with a raft of UK and Ireland dates included on the itinerary. Dates are: 1 May – Bray Jazz Festival, Ireland; 17 May – Milton Keynes; 18 May – Turner Sims Southampton; 19 May – St George's, Bristol; 20 May – The Apex, Bury St. Edmunds; 21 May – Howard Assembly Room Leeds; 22 May – Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, Ireland.
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