Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Hakon Kornstad: Single Engine

533

Hakon Kornstad: Single Engine

By

Sign in to view read count
Hakon Kornstad: Single Engine
Norwegian saxophonist Håkon Kornstad has been one of the central figures on the new Norwegian scene that aspires to break new vistas beyond the almost codified ECM representation of the Nordic scene. Kornstad has shown, over the last decade, a wide scope of expression and mood, with his post bop Kornstad Trio [Space Available (Jazzland, 2002)], and its collaborations with guitarist Pat Metheny and German avant-garde trumpeter Axel Dörner, on his free improvisations with drummer Paal Nilssen-Love [Schlinger,(Smalltown Supersound, 2003)]. He's further demonstrated his breadth on his intimate and provocative duets with pianist Håvard Wiik [Eight Tunes We Like (Moserobie, 2005) and The Bad And The Beautiful (Moserobie, 2006)], and the beat- and electronics-based Wibutee, last heard on Sweet Mental (Sonne, 2006). This first solo effort demonstrates that Kornstad is indeed not bound by any genre or style, but has his own mature voice.

Kornstad begins with a contemplative piece, "Standard Arrival Route, stressing the vibrating and talkative sound of the tenor sax, but than adds a second melodica voice to great effect, until both sounds gel into a distant atmospheric soundscape. "Flutonette" is another slow piece, but this time it is an exploration of the homemade instrument, a hybrid of flute and clarinet. "Sweden" is a catchy chorus-based song on which Kornstad improvises in the low register of the tenor sax. Bugge Wesseltoft on Hammond B3 and Ingebrigt Håker Flaten on bass join Kornstad on the cinematic "B, a sort of soundtrack to a melancholic scene. "Turkey, Texas" is another exploration of song-based form, more rhythmic this time, with Kornstad using tenor and bass saxophones, as well as the flutonette, as sax choir together with Knut Reiersrud's lap steel, in a manner that pays an implied tribute to the R&B-influenced compositions of Julius Hemphill.

"Bånsull" and "ARDAL One Alpha" are slow and meditative pieces, both featuring the sonic possibilities of the flutonette. The first is gospel-tinged while the second has a more hyper-folkloric sound. Reiersrud opens "Kokarde" with a typically bluesy fretting, with Kornstad joining in with a soulful tenor for a beautiful exploration of the blues form. On the cinematic "Ambergris," Kornstad improvises imaginatively on an eerie backwards-played recording of him, while using the overtones of the recording to enhance his more linear playing. The album concludes with a heartfelt and engaging cover of Carole King's "Crying In The Rain, supported by the Flaten's assured bass playing.

A Beautiful and impressive statement.

Track Listing

Standard Arrival Route; Flutonette; Sweden; B; Turkey; Texas; B

Personnel

Hakon Kornstad
saxophone

H

Album information

Title: Single Engine | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Jazzland Recordings

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

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

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