Remembrance

Pianist Ketil Bjornstad's music is typically in the Scandinavian division of ECM tradition — cool, seamless, flowing, emotionally consistent. This series of eleven selections titled by Roman numerals progresses through a life cycle that reaches a nebulous pinnacle. With no bass player, tenor saxophonist Tore Brunborg and the always inventive drummer Jon Christensen — all veterans of Euro-classical-textured jazz — weave through various aspects of contemporary jazz while mindful of natural and spiritual elements. In Bjornstad's playing, you circular notions of former ECM stablemate, pianist Mike Nock, peace-based hymnal and traditional themes, a waltz, a short stack of mystery, and just a smattering of the blues. At times, Brunborg's tenor reflects the rich fluidity of Michael Brecker as on "IV," while Christensen's usually ultra-sensitive drumming breaks out into free clattering and bomb drops for "IX," and concentrates on lovely oceanic cymbal washes during "X". Remembrance certainly is a reflective, introspective recording, well suited for those times when pause for concern and a look at one's inner self is necessary. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi