Martin Nodeland: Tributaries

Tributaries is the third album from Norwegian guitarist Martin Nodeland, following on from Debut (Smeik, 2019) and Origins (Smeik, 2020). A significant figure in the Norwegian jazz scene who has garnered praise far beyond Scandinavia, Nodeland's distinctive guitar playing and compositional style draw heavily on American jazz traditions while maintaining a distinctive voice.

Those earlier albums featured Nodeland in a quintet and in an eleven-piece ensemble (an undecet). For this album, he returns to a quintet format featuring English alto saxophonist Will Vinson, now based in New York. Vinson's experience playing with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Elling and Gonzalo Rubalcaba brings an international dimension to the album. The quartet is completed by pianist Martin Sandvik Gjerde, bassist Alexander Hoholm and drummer Raymond Lavik. The lineup is further strengthened by the addition of tenor saxophonist Erlend Vangen Kongtorp on two tracks.

Nodeland and drummer Lavik set the tone immediately on the opening track, "Straight Out The Gate," bringing drive and urgent rhythms as the composition provides all the quintet with the chance to shine as it twists and turns on its journey. Nodeland and Vinson weave together superbly in this high-energy attention grabber.

The tempo eases for "Awakenings," where Vinson's elegant alto saxophone solo enters with a graceful touch before passing the spotlight to Nodeland. His performance is polished, refined and precise, on a sophisticated composition that leaves ample room for expression. Nodeland especially shines on the slower tracks and passages, where his technical fluency comes to the fore, allowing him to convey emotional depth.

At nearly 10 minutes, "Celestial Bodies" is the album's centerpiece. Opening with a guitar motif and sensitive sax, the tempo quickens and builds through piano and sax solos before Nodeland's solo shows a confidence and flair in his flowing solo. "A Human Thirst" is another highlight, benefitting from a slow build through Hoholm's fine bass solo and the addition of Kongtorp's tenor sax. The twin saxophones excel as they weave around each other before combining on the theme.

The album closes with "Yours Sincerely." This features more fine performances as reflective guitar and warm sax entwine. This album is a mature work from an artist entering a richly productive period. Alongside the complex fluency, there is a grace to Nodeland's playing as his original compositional narratives ebb and flow. With Vinson's soaring solos and supported by a cracking ensemble, this is an easy one to recommend.