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Simple Things

Britta Virves

Label: Whirlwind Recordings
Released: 2025
Views: 25

Tracks

Intro; Simple Things (featuring Genevieve Artadi); Forever; Road to Braemar; Before & After; Mirrors; Days of Lily; Stepping Stones; Hope; Bravery; Chances; Stepping Out.

Personnel

Album Description

Growing up on the island of Saaremaa in her native Estonia, Britta Virves was a keen piano student playing a strictly classical repertoire. A chance encounter introduced her to jazz: “I wanted to learn guitar. So I went to my teacher Tiit Paulus, and he told me to stay with piano, and introduced me to Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans - my mind was blown - a new world opened up.” Britta immersed herself in the music and her talent soon attracted attention. Moving to Sweden to further her studies, she was soon touring Europe with the acclaimed Norrbotten Big Band, under the direction of Joakim Milder, working closely with featured guest vocalist Genevieve Artardi and accompanying Artardi on a duo tour opening for Louis Cole. Now with her Whirlwind debut Simple Things she presents the next chapter in the story. With her regular trio partners Jon Henriksson on bass and Jonas Bäckman on drums, and a captivating guest appearance from Artadi, she’s created a set of sparklingly fresh original music that is at once accessible and outgoing, yet still deeply personal. Drawing from her constant searching for her own unique sound she filters her love of rhythm and groove through her Nordic sensibility to create an accessible, compelling blend of excitement and introspection.

Each tune on the album draws inspiration from an aspect of Britta’s own life. ‘Simple Things’ has the directness of a pop song married to the depth of jazz, as Genevivie Artadi’s ethereal vocals float over an insistent backbeat that supports limpid depths of harmony. Two of the songs are dedicated to Britta’s family - the tumbling triplets of 'Days of Lily' to her mother Liilia, and the pensive ballad 'Mirrors' to her sister Greta. ’Forever' is a musical tribute to two of Britta’s heroes, inspired by a groove that she heard Gregory Hutchinson play with Kurt Rosenwinkel. The gently insistent ‘Road to Braemar' was written after a trio trip to Scotland, evoking the wide open spaces and the healing effect of immersion in nature, driven by Bäckman’s subtly insistent drumming. “Jon and Jonas both have an incredible sense of dynamic - they’re like an ocean, knowing when to chill and when to rush in.” Showcasing the subtlety and dynamic control of the rhythm team, ’Bravery' is one of Britta’s favorite tracks on the album - “I feel it' s like a big waterfall that's rushing down and making its path just by flowing naturally.” By contrast, ‘Chances’ plays with a neatly delivered set of accents that the trio toss effortlessly from one to another. Finally, both ‘Stepping Out’ and ‘Days Of Lily’ reunite Britta with her mentor Joakim Milder, who contributes the sweeping string arrangement played by Daniel Migdal, over which Britta’s melody dances.

Simple Things is tied together by the open simplicity of expression that speaks directly to the listener, that finds its perfect expression in the effortless empathetic virtuosity of the trio. “The title Simple Things expresses my wonder over the seemingly easy and obvious maneuvers that hide a wide variety of complexity in them. Like looking into a microscope, when new things open up while you try to zoom in. I feel like I' m still searching for the direction my music wants to take, but this album is definitely getting closer to the sound I'm after.”

Album uploaded by Marek J. Śmietański