Quiet Winter Night

This collective of Norwegian jazz talent is fronted by ECM stalwart multi-instrumentalist Mathias Eick, whose trumpet turns here assist in delivering an album that falls between labels.

The bulk of the music is based on a jazz trio, yes, but often (the opening three and the last song in particular) overlaid with folksy fiddle and lyrical vocal parts that recall Glen Hansard's recent work with Marketa Irglova.

Reminiscent also of Clannad's Celtic calm, so serenely do they float along with that lovely languor and suffering nothing for the foreign language lyrics. Rune Arnesen's percussion delivery is a highlight - unobtrusively but dynamically captured in the wide open spaces left within arranger Jan Gunnar Hoff's presentation of the music by film composers Geir Bohren and Bent Aserud.

I have over 100 high fidelity albums but there are 3 to 5 or so which are always a must listen when I fire things up. The sound quality and music on this are just fantastic. If I were on a desert island and had to choose only 3 albums, this would be one of them. This is a must have for any collection.

Jan Gunnar Hoff and his ensemble give us an anthology of Scandinavian folk music. This album is beautiful, meditative and melancholy, with a lot of vocals. Thus, we discover very beautiful Norwegian talents like Helene Bøksle, Åsne Valland Nordli, Sondre Bratland, Unni Wilhelmsen, Tomine Harket, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Johan Muri, Cecilia Vennersten and Bjørn Eidsvåg. But the sextet of the Norwegian pianist and composer also includes excellent musicians like the bassist Arild Andersen or the trumpet player Mathias Eick.

All the pieces are from the film production of composers Geir Bohren and Bent Åserud, and, beyond the Scandinavian sound and the winter theme, recreate a true Nordic atmosphere, of course. The typical stringed instruments add to the folk dimension, such as the Hardanger violin and the nyckelharpa.

The production of Morten Lindberg, as usual, is free from reproach, and the acoustic ensemble is very well captured in the small church Sofienberg Oslo. The recording is at once clear, airy and natural, with very fine quality bass.

In the end, this is a joyful album. Moving and accessible, to listen quietly, and not necessarily that during the long winter evenings ...