Label: Hobby Horse Records, 2023
Personnel - Hilmar Jensson: guitar; Oskar Gudjonsson: tenor saxophone; Richard Andersson: bass; Matthias Hemstock: drums.
Danish bassist/composer Richard Andersson invites the notable Icelandic guitarist Hilmar Jensson, who contributes three of his own compositions, to join his NOR trio for a highly-engaging eight-track studio session. With 100 concerts under its belt, the trio has saxophonist Oskar Gudjonsson and drummer Matthias Hemstock pitching in to put a distinctive touch on the music.
Contemplatively melancholy with consistent spaciousness and dark surroundings, Undo kicks off with Jensson’s “Serenity”, whose title reflects what you’ll get. All three members of the rhythm section are in perfect consciousness of their sounds, painting tranquil landscapes with impressionistic descriptions. Jensson’s crisp and atmospheric guitar playing stands out; Andersson’s bass lines conduct and clear up the way; and Gudjonsson only makes his horn sing two minutes before the end.
This sheer languidity segues into Andersson’s odd-metered “Undo”, transporting us to an ambient environment that is rich in lyricism. In the wake of the beautiful theme, there are logical and confident statements from guitar, sax and bass. Also composed by the bandleader, “Wall” is an achingly tearful ballad whose smooth harmonies aim to the soul. Jensson’s solo is made of pure feeling, while the minimalistic drumming offered by Hemstrock is something special.
The drummer also shines on the Gudjonsson-penned “Sun Ra”, pushed forward by a boom-bap beat controlled by glancing cross-stick hits. A prominent bass figure then lays out a 10-beat cycle that swings with no major startles, benefitting from tranquil saxophone aphorisms atop. The saxophone player also added his “Helmingur Buinn” to the list. There’s wide-angled freedom here, with distorted guitar and unlooked-for syncopation creating an illusion of fracture at the core.
The album wraps up with two Jensson’s compositions: “Tundra”, which was composed for his Bly De Blyant trio in 2015, and the incandescent if poignant “Star”, whose interesting metric {3+3+3+2} takes the familiar instrumentation in an unexpected direction.
Andersson, whose musical interest developed at the age 14, when he went blind due to a fireworks accident, played with Gerry Bergonzi, George Garzone and Bill McHenry outside Denmark. On this splendid, organic album, he and his associates engage in a type of interplay that feels like a shared heartbeat.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Serenity ► 02 - Undo ► 03 - Helmingur Buinn