April Vinyl & CDs

Review: Daniel Sommer's Sounds & Sequences, the second entry in his Nordic Trilogy, ventures deeper into the nuances of Nordic improvisation. Featuring Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen and Swedish bassist Johannes Lundberg, the album takes an adventurous approach, blending chamber music, spiritual jazz and ambient influences. Recorded at Gothenburg's Studio Epidemin, the trio navigated the sessions without set guidelines, letting intuitive improvisation guide each track. The album's atmosphere is distinctly expansive and haunting. In 'Vejen Til Epidemic', Henriksen's ethereal trumpet melodies float over Lundberg's deep bass and Sommer's textured cymbal accents, creating a tone both ominous and inviting. 'Hey, Superhero' adds a more aggressive edge, as Henriksen's airy trumpet soars against grounding basslines and Sommer's more assertive stick work. 'On Blue - Seven', subtle electronic touches and reverberant trumpet evoke a foghorn's call in a shadowy soundscape, while Beautiful Daisy brings in Henriksen's otherworldly falsetto, crafting an eerie, ritualistic feel. The title track's primal drumming and electronic effects add a rock-infused urgency, with Henriksen's falsetto peaking in a raw crescendo. Sounds & Sequences boldly explores Nordic soundscapes, blending electronic and acoustic realms in a stirring album.