A jazzy journey worth taking
Bård Edlund | New York, NY United States | 08/03/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"On a recent trip to Norway, I bought Bugge Wesseltoft's "New Conception of Jazz" album after reading about the new exciting things going on in Norwegian jazz in the New York Times.I really got into that album and purchased "Sharing" from Amazon shortly after.I'm not sure which album I like better, but I think it's fair to describe "Sharing" as a more subtle, more layered album. That may mean it is less engaging or catchy, or it may mean it is deeper - depending on your tastes.Whether Wesseltoft's music is really an entirely new conception of jazz or not is debatable, but I like what he does with it, and I think you will too if you are just feeling your way around jazz as a beginner. You don't need to be a huge jazz fan to like this stuff, as long as you are into somewhat experimental stuff. The use of electric instruments and programming along with more traditional jazz sounds really defines the music and gives it its character. But Wesseltoft is not all style - there is good songwriting going on here. "Existence" has a hauntingly played piano melody which repeats itself throughout the track in a consistent yet never tiring manner. Sidsel Endresen delivers a sensitive vocal performance on "You Might Say," one of the more "conventional" songs on the album, which becomes more interesting with repeated listenings. If you are new to Bugge Wesseltoft, start with "New Conception of Jazz" - if you have it, dive in deeper with "Sharing.""
Jazz meets Electronica ..
vanaman99 | Montreal,Quebec,Canada | 08/02/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Great album, and tastefull mixture of Jazz and Electronica (House ,Ambient,etc.)Bugge incorporates a traditional Jazz trio (piano,upright bass & drums)with Synths ,Hammond Organ,Samplers & Loops . No mistake about it, this is Nu-Jazz at his best.Jazz chords and beautifull melodies over Danceable Grooves and tasty Synth work. He's one of the premier jazzman from Norway,he's played with Terje Rypdal and Jan Garbarek .If you like Jazz with Grooves and nice Textures, you won't be disapointed .Smooth yet Groovy !"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1