Barxeta (Losen 2012)

Acuna/Hoff/Mathisen

Record Details

Released:
2012
Genre:
Jazz

Second album from world class trio: Alex Acuna, Jan Gunnar Hoff and Per Mathisen

iDrum Magazine: “Superb trio with a highly succesful fusion of jazz, rock, funk and world music. The trio combines musicality, groove and a strong melodic sense on this evocative and highly recommended album”

AllaboutJazz.com: “For those believing that Norwegian artists are all about glacial cool and rubato tone poems, Barxeta demonstrates there’s plenty of fire in the far, far north”

Jazz Journal:  “The exciting opener Belarus..Overall the album is dominated by some fine acoustic and electric keyboard and bass work and some fine compositions”

Progressive Rock Central.com: “First class fusion with a blend of passionate, high energy and gracefully elegant music performed by three world class musicians…Jan Gunnar Hoff combines the melodic sensibility and dexterity of Lyle Mays with the edginess of Chick Corea”

Music Frames (only Dutch). Full translation: «About six years ago, Acuña, Hoff and Mathisen came together and gave their first concerts in Norway and Croatia. Took their debut CD in Austria, followed by concerts in Slovakia and a tour of Sweden in 2010. The CD ‘Barxeta’ was recorded in the place of the same name in Spain, about 50 km south of Valencia. A rural ambiance where the trio took three days to record eleven pieces, written by the various members of the group. The music moves on the cutting falk of (modal) jazz, Spanish/Cuban music and 80s jazz rock with a solid use of synthesizer sounds, interspersed with extremely melodic pieces where the piano generally plays the most important role and where we hear influences from the equivalent Norwegian Dag Arnesen and the Swedish Tingvall Trio. The compositions, with exciting themes, sound balanced both in the through-effect and in the solos: beautifully coordinated. The drumming of ex-Weather Report drummer Alex Acuña stands out for its rich decor of sounds: driving, polyrhythmic with many magical ‘ghost notes’: small, almost inaudible rhythmic ornaments, giving the percussion work a huge drive with a wide entourage. A lot of attention has also been paid to the role of the bass guitar that counts as a full member and not only provides accompaniments, but clearly present in themes and solos: with a picking timbre, extremely suitable for the solo work that is somewhat reminiscent of the signature of Pat Metheny. ‘Barxeta’ sounds close and solid, perhaps with somewhat dated compositions: but if they are performed sublimely, it is fully enjoyable!»

Seaoftranquility.org: “There is a synchronicity amongst these three musicians that is hard to find..both breathtaking and first class all the way”

Dagbladet, Oslo: (5/6)

www.side3.no: “When two of our best men invites a world leading drummer, it is really happening”

Avisa Nordland (5/6)

Full cred list Discogs

 

  1. City Z (2018) Jan Gunnar Hoff Group feat Mike Stern 4:23
  2. Some Day (2018) Jan Gunnar Hoff Group feat Mike Stern 6:33
  3. Common Ground (2018) Jan Gunnar Hoff Group feat Mike Stern 7:39
  4. Living (Losen records 2014) Hoff, Mazur, Henriksen, Jormin 6:54
  5. FLY NORTH (Losen 2013) Hoff - Jormin - Mazur - Henriksen
  6. Beginning Hoff Ensemble: Jan Gunnar Hoff, Audun Kleive & Anders Jormin 3:14