Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Henrik Jensen's Followed By Thirteen: Henrik Jensen's Fo...

12

Henrik Jensen's Followed By Thirteen: Henrik Jensen's Followed by Thirteen: Blackwater

By

Sign in to view read count
Henrik Jensen's Followed By Thirteen: Henrik Jensen's Followed by Thirteen: Blackwater
What does it mean to be 'Followed by Thirteen'? It immediately conjures pictures of some cold war spy thriller—Orson Welles in Greene's "The Third Man," Matt Damon in the Bourne films maybe, as the protagonist is followed by shadowy agents through decaying European cities in defence of unspecified freedoms. Good though it is, it seems unlikely that Henrik Jensen's splendid new album of modern jazz could be construed by our governments as a threat to our comfortable western liberal democratic existence. True it does value the collective over the individual, but excellent opening track "The Dutch Daneman" provides enough solo space for the ever impressive Andre Canniere's trumpet or indeed the rippling piano of Esbjen Tjalve to suggest that jazz can accommodate a mixed economy which rewards both collective cohesion and individual creativity without the need for state surveillance.

The collective cohesion comes from the six years that the band have played together since their 2010 formation. Jensen and Tjalve had previously met in Copenhagen, but later studied together at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Music and individually have impressive CVs from work within jazz and more widely. Canniere should be familiar either from his solo albums, that included 2013's excellent Coalescence, or indeed his work with the likes of Darcy James Argue, Becca Stevens and Maria Schneider. Drummer Antonio Fusco was a new name to me but the inventiveness of his work here suggests that he is more than deserving of his place in what feels an even partnership.

The overall feel of the collection exemplified by the aforementioned "The Dutch Daneman" is of a Nordic shading having been given to the great 1960s Miles Davis Quintet—imagine Mr Davis recording for ECM around the time of Filles de Killimanjaro say. "London-Berlin" suggests a further reference in the younger Erik Truffaz, before his experimentation with hip hop and world music textures, its slightly askew melodic theme recalling the early 1970s high water mark for jazz rock fusion when the likes of Herbie Hancock and Eddie Henderson maintained some measure of control over the macho histrionics that were to follow.

There is also a strand of romanticism that runs through the album, take the interaction between Jensen and Tjalve during their respective solos on "Riccardo's Room" for example, and the Blackwater of the album title being the river by which Jensen proposed to his wife to be. Quite what Jensen's betrothed will have made of his additional sleevenote observation that there had been a Viking invasion at the same spot more than a thousand years previously is perhaps best left to speculation, but we must hope that his ability to record a third album will not be impaired. Jensen and Tjalve also seem to slow time on the track "The Unready" where they reach the level of interaction that shows great mutual understanding and respect built up over many years. Closing track "Cravings" ends on a more upbeat note—Canniere's breezy trumpet line and solo drawing a response in kind from Tjalve that concludes proceedings nicely.

Should 'Followed by Thirteen' reflect the artist's anxiety at his fanbase or social media following Blackwater will hopefully do much to redress the balance. Mr Jensen has at the time of writing over six hundred twitter followers—doubtless a touch disappointing for a man of his talents but perfectly respectable nonetheless. Blackwater is a great album, perhaps not the sort of record that wins guest slots on mainstream Saturday night TV, but hopefully enough to get the band noticed and some well-deserved recognition for their work. Warmly recommended.

Track Listing

The Dutch Daneman; London-Berlin; Bonza; Riccardo's Room; Lullaby for the Little One; Schur-as; The Unready; Cravings.

Personnel

Andre Canniere: trumpet, flugelhorn; Esben Tjalve: piano; Henrik Jensen: bass; Antonio Fusco: drums.

Album information

Title: Henrik Jensen's Followed by Thirteen: Blackwater | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Jellymould Jazz

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.

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.