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Klaus N?rgaard: Village Life

By Jakob Baekgaard
October 31, 2018
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Some albums seem to capture a season perfectly. Jazz bassist

Klaus Nørgaard

" data-original-title="" title="">Klaus N?rgaard, a mainstay of the Danish scene, has done this with Village Life, an album that brims with autumnal delight. The track "August Dance" is the equivalent of watching many-colored leaves dance in the wind. Drummer

RJ Miller

" data-original-title="" title="">RJ Miller makes a light beat like castanets. He is accompanied by the elegant horn duo of saxophonist

Ned Ferm

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ned Ferm and trombonist

Mads Hyhne

" data-original-title="" title="">Mads Hyhne.

At first, N?rgaard does not command much attention, but listen and the fluid pulse of his bass is everywhere. Notes are gently plucked like ripe apples from a tree. N?rgaard takes the time to let the music breathe. He helps to provide the elusive quality of jazz called swing, taking a stroll down the street with a swagger that is neither rushed nor slow.

The spacious feeling of the music is supported by

Jorge Rossy

drums
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Jorge Rossy. To some listeners, he will be familiar as the drummer in

Brad Mehldau

piano
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Brad Mehldau's classic trio, but he has reinvented himself as a vibraphonist and his crystalline tones add to the relaxed and dreamy atmosphere of the music.

But make no mistake, as a composer, N?rgaard isn't satisfied with stillness. His music is in movement and the poetic quality of his tunes is balanced by a cool sense of swing that keeps the pieces from meandering. He also has a knack for writing crisp and catchy lines that are shaped into melodic themes. The players in the group add different layers to the music, not least Miller, who is a subtle sound painter as well as an advanced timekeeper whose feeling for the pulse of the music fits N?rgaard's approach perfectly.

The music gently strolls along and the vocal track "Unrequited Love" is a nice variation to the instrumental tracks. Here, singer Eva-Louise R?nnevig sings that "I'll try to put this village life aside," but the feeling of the album is more of a village than a city and that is altogether a good thing.

The ending, the epic "Blue Arara," concludes the album in a beautiful way with guest guitarist Jacob Funch adding a circling melodic motif that spreads like rings in water. It is the kind of seemingly simple music that

Jakob Bro

guitar
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Jakob Bro has perfected. Here it is felt in N?rgaard's music. It combines many elements into a strong effort of modern autumnal swing music for city hipsters dreaming about moving to the countryside.

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Track Listing

For the Duration; Relaxin at Digevej; Eleseus; August Dance; The Deep Days; Unrequited Love; Blue Arara.

Personnel

Klaus N?rgaard

Klaus N?rgaaard: bass; RJ Miller: drums; Jorge Rossy: vibes; Mads Hyhne: trombone; Ned Ferm: tenor saxophone; Eva-Louise R?nnevig: vocal; Jacob Funch: guitar.

Album information

Title: Village Life | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Gateway Music

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