Label: Gateway Music, 2020
Personnel - Magnus Thuelund: alto saxophone; Jacob Anderskov: piano; Jonathan Andersen: bass; Espen Laub Von Lilliensjkjold: drums.
Tiny Grass is Dreaming, the debut album from Danish bassist/composer Jonathan Andersen, is tagged by versatility in style and competence in execution. I was not immediately grabbed by the title track, though, which opens up the album carrying a bolero vibe in its lowest layer. While saxophonist Magnus Thuelund is in command during the theme statement, the expressive brushwork offered by drummer Espen Laub Von Lilliensjkjold and the waves of serenity emanated from Jacob Anderskov’s elegant pianism keep acting in the interest of the piece’s romantic nature.
The sprightly “Silvo Plex” is another story, combining the vibrancy of Woody Shaw and the dramatic instinct of Kurt Rosenwinkel. The pianist catches the saxophonist’s lines to form unisons, while the groove-centered disposition of the tune becomes an opportunity for fitting statements from piano and bass.
If the quartet explores tranquil landscapes with a Yusef Lateef perception on the coruscating waltz “Woodcraft”, they opt to dive into post-bop relaxation on “Mending the Broken”, a wonderful piece where groove and melody walk hand in hand. Included in this cool-toned category, there’s also “Dry Air”, a balladic exercise punctuated by gorgeous bass decays and uplifted by a fine saxophone solo.
While “A Muse Meant Business” is a piano-less bop-inflection marked by the contrasting tones of Von Lilliensjkjold’s skin work and a natural proclivity to swing, “Hello Gulina” is crafted with modal virtue, conveying a breezy feel with the help of winning, curving melodies. These strong impressions are covered in emotional satisfaction, being extended to the solos.
Aesthetic variety doesn’t stop here, and if “AO” displays a jazzistic frame with deep folk engraving, “Macroscope” is a short layered piece that relies simultaneously on the independence of moves and conjoint articulacy, occasionally reaching avant-garde latitudes.
The album closes with a bluesy pop song called “Big Guitar”, to which an awesome beat is added.
Tiny Grass is Dreaming is no stiff listening experience, compelling us to recognize Andersen as a viable voice willing to explore several branches of the jazz tree.
Grade B+
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Silvo Plex ► 05 - Hello Gulina ► 09- Mending the Broken