Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Sigurdur Flosason/Kjeld Lauritsen: Daybreak

2

Sigurdur Flosason/Kjeld Lauritsen: Daybreak

By

Sign in to view read count
Sigurdur Flosason/Kjeld Lauritsen: Daybreak
They used to call this kind of thing "mood music." The idea was to put the listener in a particular mood, usually one of calm and relaxation. When it came to jazz, the US label Prestige climbed on the bandwagon with a whole series titled—wait for it— "Moodsville."

Moodsville aimed at providing jazz that was "beautiful, poetic and thoughtful."

Talented Icelandic alto saxophonist Sigurdur Flosason and Danish Hammond organ player Kjeld Lauritsen have similar aspirations. Lauritsen cites Ben Webster, Jim Hall and Bill Evans as the inspiration for this album.

Flosason says the music has nothing to prove. "It simply is, neither old nor new, complex nor simple. In a way it is the core and the essence of all music: rhythm, melody and harmony in their barest and truest form—just music."

"The Night We Called It A Day..." "Blue Moon..." "Dreamsville..." One dreamy ballad follows another until, with Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin,'" the sun finally rises.

Two numbers stand out, both by Duke Ellington. "I Like The Sunrise" was part of his "Liberian Suite," written in 1947 to celebrate the African nation's centennial. It was originally furnished with trite lyrics sung in his inimitably pompous way by Al Hibbler.

We are spared them here as Flosason breathes new life into one of Ellington's less distinguished tunes, followed by a fine solo with calypso leanings from guitarist Jacob Fischer.

"Morning Glory" was written by Ellington and trumpeter Rex Stewart in 1940 and recorded by the Ellington band just once. After a rather wooden opening by Lauritsen, Flosason and Fischer deliver excellent solos.

Sandwiched between the two pieces of Ellingtonia is a very nice version of the Sigmund Romberg/Oscar Hammerstein number "Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise" from 1928.

Again, the organ intro is a trifle stolid but Flosason quickly lifts the number and Lauritsen redeems himself with some nicely understated work before close of play.

Track Listing

The Night We Called It A Day; Blue Moon; Dreamsville; You Stepped Out Of A Dream; In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning; I Like The Sunrise; Softly As In A Morning Sunrise; Morning Glory; Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’.

Personnel

Sigurdur Flosason: alto saxophone; Kjeld Lauritsen: Hammond B3 organ; Jacob Fischer: guitar; Kristian Leth: drums.

Album information

Title: Daybreak | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Storyville Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near Copenhagen
Jazz Near Copenhagen
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.