Radio Bévort: Which Craft?

Music has a strange power to enchant us. In fact, it is unbelievable that vibrations and patterns of sound are able to move our emotions. Danish saxophonist and composer, Pernille Bevort, has captured the mystery of music in the poetically playful title of her latest album Which Craft? It can both be read as a reference to the strange witchcraft of music and a question that asks where music comes from.

Bévort herself is firmly planted in the jazz tradition, but has an adventurous mind and is able to fly in many musical directions, including fast bop lines on the opener "Bevarro," relaxed funk on "Second Pit Stop" and a shrewd reference to saxophonist John Coltrane's reading of "My Favorite Things" on "Minor Details."

The many different instruments represented by her group, Radio Bévort, underline a rich palette of sounds where saxophones, flute, guitar, drums, piano and accordion contribute to a jazz sound that seems to draw inspiration from all around the world. For instance, "Nine is Fine" starts out with intimate tango-romanticism from Francesco Cali's accordion, but soon transforms into an advanced funk piece with polyphonic horn voices.

The music is both light and sophisticated with its use of multiple musical voices, especially impressive on the closer, "Epilogue—Celebrating Skeleton," where all the instruments are played by Bévort herself.

However, there is also an earthbound quality about the clear melodies and grooves that emerge throughout the album and the bluesy joy of "Who's Got it?" conveys the feeling of musicians having a good time. Which Craft? easily casts its musical spell and shows that music can both be fun and thoughtful -not a bad combination.