Reviews 2096

Actually, they had me at the opening track, "Anthem", a beautifully wrought melody from which Eriksen develops a languorous improvisation, an accurate taste of what is to come. All the compositions are by Eriksen, and they unfold as naturally as a flower in the sun. That might suggest that the music is predictable and uninteresting, but not so. While there is little to startle or challenge, the album provides considerable reward for anyone who appreciates music that is skilfully conceived and superbly performed but which aims for the heart and aesthetic sense. After "Grinde", another gentle ballad, "In The Woods" brings in a more explicit beat, a trend continued with "Masaka Tsara" which spotlights Jenset´s rich bass. Eriksen gets almost funky. "Not Even In Brazil" has a Latin-American tinge with a touch of Scandinavian darkness. And so it goes. You´ll be sorry to say goodbye when this luscious album ends. Performance 4/5. Recording 5/5.
BBC Music Magazine (UK)

The boundaries between jazz and pop are becoming increasingly blurred. The album of this Norwegian trio contains eight gentle melodies, recorded with piano, jazz and drums. Strict jazz purists may sound too complacent and somehow too calm for some pop fans. But lovers of the great Scandinavian melancholy should enjoy these quiet debutants.
Kulturspiegel (DE)

Espen Eriksen Trio legger seg trygt og godt inn i en typisk scandinavisk folkeinspirert lyrisk jazztradisjon. Jan Johanson spøker i bakgrunnen av de trillende vakre melodilinjene. The episk and melodiøst and dramatics i sangene bygges veldig fint opp. Espen Eriksen Trios debut gir eksportrådet enda et godt kort på hånden.
Dagens Næringsliv (NO)

All the best for the smellvakre medium-tempo ballad "Anthem" har trioen Klargjort hoveduttrykket: melodibaserte låter i et acoustisk, åpent og kollektivt lydbilde der alle tre har god boltreplass, men ingen spiller mer and if som er nødvelleigiene for å fort. Trioen can minne om en suffered ecstasy-oriented Esbjørn Svensson Trio, suffered more virtuoso-sounding Helge Lien Trio, suffered more introspective Tord Gustavsen Trio, men med mye av det best fra hver av dem på plass. Med sine sterke låter plasserer albumet Espen Eriksen Trio i toppsjiktet av velvetidige norske pianotrioer, og den sterke fellesformidlingen gjøre savnet av pianooppvisninger i halsbrekkende tempi lett å bære. 5/6.
Dagbladet (NO)

He slik ei overrasking Skal vere, frå ein musikar som dyrkar det lyrisk vakre og det estetisk enkle saman med to musikalske sjelsfrendar. Lat gå at det no vert laga samanlikningar med både Tord Gustavsen og salige Esbjörn Svensson, men å dyrke "the law of simplicity" har alltid vore a god vinnar i musikken, for den som har sinnelag for det. Eriksen har laga alle songane, soloinnslaga er korte og konsise, og som bonus får du eit omslag the Kim Hiorthøy dyrkar biletkunstnaren i seg. Not old dette, til vårens pris.
Dagsavisen (NO)

Etter noen gangers gjennomlytting forkommer musikken kjent og kjær, selv om alt er nyskrevet. Vakre sanger og creative arranger fanger hode og hjerte. The finnes mange svært gode utøvere i dette musikalske landskapet. Lyrisk og nordisk klaverjazz har siden Jan Johansson og Bengt Hallberg had bred appell, i det seinere med utøvere som Tord Gustavsen, Christian Wallumrød, Jon Balke, Tor Dyrud og Esbjørn Svensson for å nevne noen. "Anthem" he en salme som alene forsvarer en CD-utgivelse. Etter
dette høydepunktet commer velspilte og creative underfundigheter på rekke og rad. Get fra kjedelige, velvetidig utpreget stillferdige og enkle. Utsøkt!
Vårt Land (NO)

Espen Eriksen Trio debuterer med melodiøs pianojazz av lekkert notice. Med vemodsvakker tydlighet beveger trekløveret seg smidig gjennom Eriksens låter, uten å henfalle til det poporienterte. Bass player Lars Tormod Jenset and trommeslager Andreas Bye underbygger poetry, and man slipper to the bryne seg på det som kommer. Stylish can trioen plasseres et sted mellom Tord Gustavsen og In The Country.
Aftenposten (NO)

Vi snakker om en herlig samspilt trio, som kanskje låter aller best når Lars Tormod Jenset inntar en salgs melodisk førende rolle, nå og da - om enn sjelden - utstyrt med bue. Dette er pur jazz, ingen tvil om det - selv om trioen meget vel kan til å appellere til det collect "rock" audience like som Esbjörn Svensson henvendte seg til. Og se så - om ikke Espen Eriksen come opp opp en hitlåt? "On The Jar" has all the ingredients som Kreves i så måte. Here it is bare å lene seg tilbake, og nyte. The avslutter with "To Whome It May Concern". It should be oppfatning he det ei reporting som burde angå de fleste av oss.
Jazznytt (NO)

"You Had Me At Goodbye" bears echoes of Scandinavian artists such as Tord Gustavson Trio and EST As wistful as its paradoxical album title would indicate, the original compositions comprising its eight tracks brim with longing and regret, but they´re not altoghether absent of hope. On "Grinde" Eriksen´s quiet touch is shaded and supported by the hushed and resonant acoustic bass of Lars Tormod Jenset and the delicately applied brushes of drummer Andreas Bye. As throughout, Eriksen displays a rich melodic sensibility and an undeniable warmth that counteracts even the chilliest Norwegian night.
Jazziz (US)

The all-acoustic music on "You Had Me At Goodbye" favors ECM-style introstection grafted onto gently melodic compositions that drow from rock and classical shapes more than jazz; the concision of the performances gives the improvisations, both by the pianist and the nimble bassist Lars Tormod Jenset, a pop-like focus. Veteran Scandinavian piano trios like EST and the one led by Tord Gustavsen are clear predecessors for what Eriksen is tackling here, but his sound is more streamlined than the former and less heady than the latter ... on a piece like "Not Even In Brazil ", which seems to draw more than a touch of inspiration from the music of Radiohead, the trio finds a simpatico balance of melodic moodiness and harmonic richness, as their flexible drummer Andreas Bye unleashes ever-shifting accents with strong results.
Downbeat (US)

This is the debut release from the trio, and features Mr. Eriksen (piano) along with Andreas Bye (drums) and Lars Tormod Jenset (bass). Like other artists on this label, the jazz outfit hails from Norway. Although to American sensibilities one doesn't normally think of Norway and jazz together, this is a beautiful and tasteful release worthy of notice. While the leader and bassist have played with many luminaries from the Scandinavian jazz scene, drummer Bye has played with the likes of Joshua Redman and John Scofield. All the tunes are melodic, lyrical and highly infectious- many with typical Scandinavian folk elements. Listen to “In The Woods”, which suggests a deep and snowy northern forest with added touches of melancholia. All eight songs take a similar approach, with tasteful and none too long solos. Such a less-is more approach is in contrast to many of their contemporary jazz piano trios, with structures close to pop songs. Recommended.
The Complete Hoot (US)

The music of the Norwegian musician and his colleagues is lyrical and melodic, catchy and relaxed. Overall, typically Scandinavian with its folk elements and a hint of melancholy. He follows the tradition of a Tord Gustavsen or the late Esbjörn Svensson without imitating them. However, the music of the trio with Eriksen, bassist Lars Tormod Jenset and drummer Andreas Bye does not hold any surprises either. On the other hand, the artistic level and the sensitive
interplay of the Espen Eriksen Trio are commendable. Sparkling piano, harmoniously attractive bass runs and restrained drums have a relaxing effect. Anyone who needs musical balm for the soul is well served.
Jazzpodium (DE)

Eriksen is a young Norwegian pianist who hopefully has a great future ahead of him with his trio. On this album he plays with Lars Tormod Jenset (b) and Andreas Bye (dr. Also with Bugge Wesseltoft, John Scofield or Nils Petter Molvær). The eight almost pop compositions have a melodic focus and give them a lot of space due to their flowing character. This is by no means about presenting daring pieces of cabinet, but about sound and a musical development that is rarely loud. Of course, the typical 'Nordic style' is not missing, but beautiful melodies that are not afraid of air are just as timeless as place and have countless facets. Listen in, especially because Bye did an equally beautiful, very groovy and always fine job.
Drums & Percussion (DE)

Med en rätt välfylld cv gör pianists Espen Eriksen debut i eget namn. Tidigare har han bland annat medverkat på Christina Bjordals suveräna Brighter days, en jazzpopskiva. The bidrog han även som medkompositör till flera av låtarna. Lite i samma anda är låtarna på nya skivan. Han har en bra känsla för melodier, lättillgängliga melodier som aldrig blir platta. Hela skivan utmärks av ett directly tilltal i en slags nordisk tradition. Inte så att viddernahörs, vilket ofta är fallet i norsk jazz, det är mer temperamentet som är typiskt nordiskt, with inspiration for folk music som skiner igenom. Övriga triomedlemmar är basisten Lars Tormod och trummisen Andreas Bye, som lyhört följer och för stronger. Visst finns likheter med Tord Gustavsens trio, om än inte lika sakral i stämningen. In the skopa lekfullhet has det blivit in strålande debut.
Lira (SE)

http://www.themilkfactory.co.uk

http://www.independent.co.uk

http://www.allaboutjazz.com

http://www.popmatters.com

http://www.directcurrentmusic.com

http://agentcoop.wordpress.com

http://www.thejazzmann.com

http://tomasslaninka.posterous.com

http://www.ragazzi-music.de    (german)

http://www.spiegel.de    (german)

http://music-scan.net   (german)

http://www.cd-kritik.de    (german)

http://www.nordische-musik.de    (german)

http://etherreal.com    (french)

http://www.lira.se    (swedish)