No... don't fool yourselves.
Pietro | Pietro Da Cortona | 12/12/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"The essence of this recording is as follows: One the the world's greatest rhythm sections was hired to play alongside Terje, who, armed with foot-pedal, plays two or three synthesizer-laden notes in the background. Terje often bends the strings to sound like distant bird-calls that seem to fade in and out. The first track is good and Terje does make some cool atmospheric ambience but THAT IS ALL HE DOES FOR THE WHOLE SESSION. It ends up sounding the same and it just keeps going... until it is just stale. He plays basically two to four notes the whole time. His foot pedal sounds great but it just gets repetitive after about 40 minutes. The rhythm section of Vitous and Dejohnette are outstanding players, but it seems almost as if they are exploited... as if they were hired to give "legitimacy" to this alleged "avant garde" foot pedaling.
Don't buy this cd... unless you dig one or two notes on the electric guitar being "bended" and fading in and out over and over and over and over with the backdrop of a jazz rhythm section.
Soundscapes? Ambience? -nope. no way."
Ethereal, very deep
Thomas Gabuzda | Montco PA, usa | 02/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This release seems to polarize reviewers, the harsher reviews coming from guitarists at odds with Rypdal's effects. I've owned this on vinyl since the 70's. "Sunrise" is ethereal and energetic. "Den Forste Sne" (The First Snow) is a gorgeous ballad. "Will" --first released on "Sweetnighter" by Weather Report (likewise with its composer, M Vitous)-- is an absolutely stunning, emotional composition and I prefer this version (though both are superb). "Believer" is my favorite track from this set and brims with meaning though wordless. The final 2 tracks are more experimental and leave me indifferent. Vitous and DeJohnette are perfection. I can appreciate that some listeners will not care for Rypdal's processing and effects or would prefer a different style, but personally I love the conviction in his playing here. This release has great depth."
Strange, Beautiful, Mysterious, Moody but very likeable
TR707 | New York | 01/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lots of moods and atmospheres here. I guess you can call this a variation of modern jazz, depending on your musical background. To me it is a modern Jazz-Rock-Ambient fusion album. Extremely free form, not a theme anywhere but it works for me. I think the mood of this album is what makes it happen. The performances are great by all. I find I enjoy this cd best at night through a pair of good headphones. It does take a while to grow on you. The drumming on this album is very interesting, it just kind of floats above the rest of the band. You could also file this under New Age, but not the syrupy bland kind. This is one of my new favorite albums at the moment. It is so hard to find interesting music these days, amazing the kind of music that came out once upon a time time."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1
