Credits:

Gard Nilssen Acoustic Unity

Description:

Considered one of the most creative improvisational drummers in Europe for his fresh and free approach to rhythm, he has been highly acclaimed on ECM for his recordings with the Maciej Obara Quartet (Unloved, Three Crowns) and Mathias Eick (Skala). ECM presents Acoustic Unity, a powerful trio of Norwegian musicians led by Gaal Nilsen, who has received critical acclaim for his recordings with Maciej Obara Quartet (Unloved, Three Crowns) and Mathias Eick (Skala). Dynamic interplay, a swinging pulse feel, and boldly carved themes (all three musicians participate in the compositions) make this trio an imposing and confident performer of impassioned anthems and poignant ballads, and the group's stylistic flexibility is rooted in their shared experience. Nilsen and saxophonist/clarinetist André Lorigeten grew up together in their hometown of Skien in Norway's Telemark region, and in 2005, within the Nordic Large Ensemble for Young Musicians, organized by Django Bates, they met Swedish bassist Petter Eldo and they hit it off immediately.After diverse collaborations, Nilsen, Lorigten, and Eldo came together as a trio in 2014 and have toured extensively since. Elastic Wave is the trio's fourth album and first ECM release. Many influences flow through their music. André Lorigeten cites Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, and Archie Shepp as early role models, but his big sound draws inspiration from multiple sources. For example, "The Other Village," in which he plays tenor and soprano saxophones simultaneously, was inspired by memories of Mediterranean bagpipe melodies." Inflat Delight" has the supple, dancing bounce of an Ornette-on-tenor, but moves on the rhythmic feel of Brazilian samba elements or, as Gahl puts it, "the way Charlie Haden and Paul Motian played Latin music." Such a broad view of modern jazz history is a hallmark of this trio."The Room Next To Her" finds Lorigeten playing the baritone saxophone with ritualistic intensity, while "Dreignau" features his elegant clarinet playing. Bassist Petter Eldo has been heard on ECM in the context of Django Bates' trio Beloved ("The Study of Touch," 2016) and Kid Downs' Vermillion. An omnivorous musician who has mastered a variety of idioms from bebop to hip-hop to free improvisation, Eldo recently won the SWR Jazz Award 2022, where the jury praised his "energetic and empathetic double bass playing," a trait that is also evident in this work! The opening track, "Altaret," Swedish for "altar," is a reference to the scene in Gahl's Oslo practice room, which is decorated with a portrait of Coltrane.This piece is a free contrapuntal piece that opens the door to the trio's concept of independence and unity in improvisation! Personnel] Gard Nilssen (ds) Andre Roligheten (ts,ss,bs,cl) Petter Eldh (double-b)

Tracklisting:

1.ALTARET
2.SPENDING TIME WITH LUDVIG
3.DREIGNAU
4.INFLUX DELIGHT
5.LOKKET TIL JON, OG SKJERFET TIL PAUL
6.THE OTHER VILLAGE
7.BOOGIE
8.CERCLE 85
9.ACOUSTIC DANCE MUSIC
10.TIL LIV
11.THE ROOM NEXT TO HER