Reviews RCD2021
Sakuteki is a delightful work, true to its inspirations and fascinating in its minimal aesthetic, which none the less produces extraordinarily rich and satisfying results. A testament to the fact that challenging and magical music can still be produced without technological intervention - this could have been adequately recorded any time over the last 50 years - and a ringing endorsement of Henriksen´s concentration on exact form and technique.
The Mighty Organ (UK)
With "Sakuteiki" Arve Henriksen steps up into the definite world class with fellow Norwegians Nils Petter Molvaer and Jan Garbarek. 6/6.
Panorama (NO)
Henriksen invests fifty quiet, contemplative minutes in tentatively searching for the right place to put his notes, and succeeds brilliantly in his quest. A surprisingly vast and colourful array of sounds emerge from the bell (and mouthpiece) of his trumpet, very occasionally accompanied by sparse organ, harmonium, voice or discreet electronic percussion. Agile production by fellow Supersilent member Helge Sten, aka Deathprod, himself no stranger to creating fragile atmospheres, as was amply proven by his shared album with Biosphere, "Nordheim Transformed", on the same label. Delicate and engrossing.
Motion (UK)
A beautiful album by trumpet player Arve Henriksen, poised somewhere between unaccompanied classic jazz and cerebral contemporary music, with leanings towards Japanese musical (and philosophical) history. A remarkable study in space and locations, the music progresses slowly through a series of meditations on sensory impressions. Song titles like "Viewing Infinite Space," "Procession Passing," "Breathing," "Beauty Of Bamboos," and "Planting Trees Creating Beauty" almost put words to the intense beauty on display here. An amazing effort from one of those rare artists that knows not only what to play but, more importantly, when not to.
Ink19.com (US)
With a promise of happiness for those who will listen, this is not music for whistling, dancing or the background. But if you make it sing inside you instead of around you, you will be greatly awarded in his garden. 6/6.
Dagbladet (NO)
Extremely fascinating musical and mental gardening. A beautiful and consistent production. Bonsai for the soul.
Adresseavisen (NO)
We get to hear Henriksen use the harmonium, percussion and his special voice in addition to his almost alien trumpet sound. The result is a unique listening experience. He has in his incomparable way created music that is so seductive, exciting and at the same time calming that I get lost for words.
Puls (NO)
Beyond classification, he rises to the sacred and opens windows towards the experimental. So directly and heartfelt can he fill the trumpet with life.
Aftenposten (NO)
This is a thing of rare and compelling beauty. Each piece seems intimately bound to its title, and "Stones Should Never Be Placed Carelessly" sums up both the record´s inspiration and its execution. Not a note out of place and played with the utmost care, this is musicmaking as natural and essential as breathing.
BBC Online (UK)
"Sakuteiki" is everything but a conventional album. By taking his music to incredible extremes, Arve Henriksen offers a record that stands out all through. His technique, polished with his work with some of the most regarded contemporary jazz musicians, provides the most dramatic background for his compositions.
The Milk Factory (UK)
Fascinating stuff and a beautifully conceived and performed piece of work. Who said the spiritual side of music is dead?
Birmingham Post (UK)
The main thing to note about this album is its overall originality of intent and execution. It offers many moments of both grave and contemplative beauty, with each of the 15 tracks an eloquent indication of the fact that less can often be more.
Amazon (UK)
Henriksen produces a staggering range of sounds from his instrument. At times it has the tone of the shakuhachi flute, at others the pure, clear tone of the trumpet processed to produce an ethereal echo.
Avant (UK)
The Mighty Organ (UK)
With "Sakuteiki" Arve Henriksen steps up into the definite world class with fellow Norwegians Nils Petter Molvaer and Jan Garbarek. 6/6.
Panorama (NO)
Henriksen invests fifty quiet, contemplative minutes in tentatively searching for the right place to put his notes, and succeeds brilliantly in his quest. A surprisingly vast and colourful array of sounds emerge from the bell (and mouthpiece) of his trumpet, very occasionally accompanied by sparse organ, harmonium, voice or discreet electronic percussion. Agile production by fellow Supersilent member Helge Sten, aka Deathprod, himself no stranger to creating fragile atmospheres, as was amply proven by his shared album with Biosphere, "Nordheim Transformed", on the same label. Delicate and engrossing.
Motion (UK)
A beautiful album by trumpet player Arve Henriksen, poised somewhere between unaccompanied classic jazz and cerebral contemporary music, with leanings towards Japanese musical (and philosophical) history. A remarkable study in space and locations, the music progresses slowly through a series of meditations on sensory impressions. Song titles like "Viewing Infinite Space," "Procession Passing," "Breathing," "Beauty Of Bamboos," and "Planting Trees Creating Beauty" almost put words to the intense beauty on display here. An amazing effort from one of those rare artists that knows not only what to play but, more importantly, when not to.
Ink19.com (US)
With a promise of happiness for those who will listen, this is not music for whistling, dancing or the background. But if you make it sing inside you instead of around you, you will be greatly awarded in his garden. 6/6.
Dagbladet (NO)
Extremely fascinating musical and mental gardening. A beautiful and consistent production. Bonsai for the soul.
Adresseavisen (NO)
We get to hear Henriksen use the harmonium, percussion and his special voice in addition to his almost alien trumpet sound. The result is a unique listening experience. He has in his incomparable way created music that is so seductive, exciting and at the same time calming that I get lost for words.
Puls (NO)
Beyond classification, he rises to the sacred and opens windows towards the experimental. So directly and heartfelt can he fill the trumpet with life.
Aftenposten (NO)
This is a thing of rare and compelling beauty. Each piece seems intimately bound to its title, and "Stones Should Never Be Placed Carelessly" sums up both the record´s inspiration and its execution. Not a note out of place and played with the utmost care, this is musicmaking as natural and essential as breathing.
BBC Online (UK)
"Sakuteiki" is everything but a conventional album. By taking his music to incredible extremes, Arve Henriksen offers a record that stands out all through. His technique, polished with his work with some of the most regarded contemporary jazz musicians, provides the most dramatic background for his compositions.
The Milk Factory (UK)
Fascinating stuff and a beautifully conceived and performed piece of work. Who said the spiritual side of music is dead?
Birmingham Post (UK)
The main thing to note about this album is its overall originality of intent and execution. It offers many moments of both grave and contemplative beauty, with each of the 15 tracks an eloquent indication of the fact that less can often be more.
Amazon (UK)
Henriksen produces a staggering range of sounds from his instrument. At times it has the tone of the shakuhachi flute, at others the pure, clear tone of the trumpet processed to produce an ethereal echo.
Avant (UK)