Waves Silver

With "Imago Mundi", their fourth effort, Asgard cancelled the first era of their career. and what a way to say momentarily goodbye! To go on after the splendorous "Arkana" was indeed a titanic task, and Asgard managed to do it quite well due to the exciting combination of talent and conviction that takes place all throughout the repertoire. The conceptual unity of the album (a travel through the lands of myths and legends) actually helps to construe a coherent sequential link between all tracks. The overall result is both excellent and appealing, thanks to the infusion of a more pronounced hard rocking edge into their basic symphonic colorfulness incarnated in attractive melody lines, effective keyboard orchestrations, and cohesive interplaying: at times you can really tell that these guys have gotten immersed in the pompous, bombastic spirit of the best prog rock.

Veteran Seattle bassist Chuck Deardorf brings together longtime musical friends and compatriots for this album, filled with spontaneous interaction, gritty grooves and melodic beauty. With the quartet of pianist Dawn Clement, drummer Matt Wilson and saxophonist Hans Teuber, Deardorf explores deep and seldom-heard compositions by Kenny Barron, Keith Jarrett and Monk, while a second trio with Marc Seales & Gary Hobbs performs music by Jack DeJohnette and even the "Blind Faith" rock classic, "Can't Find My Way Home." "Perception" displays an inspired group aesthetic, as it provides a look into the creative vision that has made Deardorf a favorite musical partner to the countless jazz legends he's accompanied over the years.

“My time with ECM is a lifetime by now,” Terje Rypdal notes, as he embarks upon his fourth decade with the label that has documented his far-reaching achievements as both improviser and composer. For this anthology, Rypdal chose to focus on his groundbreaking electric guitar artistry, heard in settings ranging from symphony orchestra to the enlightened hard rock of the Chasers. “Music must have colours and freedom”, Rypdal once said, and his selection here lacks neither.