Adam Forkelid - 2024 - Turning Point

(40:57; Prophone)

Track list:
1. Turning Point 6:31
2. Strive 5:27
3. The Space Between 4:03
4. No Man's Land 5:59
5. Moving On 7:10
6. The Old House 3:44
7. No Worries 4:25
8. Fragments 3:38

Line-up:
Adam Forkelid - piano
Carl Mörner Ringström - guitars
Niklas Fernqvist - bass
Daniel Fredriksson - drums


Swedish artist Adam Forkelid has been an active recording artist for two decades or thereabouts, with a number of band projects and cooperations under his belt in addition to nurturing a career as a solo artist since he released his debut album "Cirkel" back in 2005. This spring he released his new solo album "Turning Point" through Swedish label Prophone and, if I have understood this correctly, distributed by the Naxos label.

While I guess there is a specific subset of jazz that this album should be filed under, I'm not well versed enough in this part of the music universe to pinpoint this exactly. For my sake I'd describe this as mainly piano dominated instrumental jazz, and one that has a bit of a timeless feel to it at that. This is also a production that comes across as a production created with a band performance in mind as the nature of the songs do call for tight interplay between all participating instrumentalists.

While the piano is the key instrument throughout, with elegant and flowing leads as a speciality, the guitar is just about as important in that department and for this instrument as well I'd say that flowing and elegant leads is the norm. In some songs with a bit of a back and forth nature between these instruments throughout, while in other compositions the focus is more on longer and more extensive lead sections with a lesser amount of switches between the lead instruments. The bass will also get some moments to shine, and while perhaps not in a manner I'd describe as a lead instrument role myself we do get plenty of instances where the bass gains a much more prominent placement in the arrangement. And while less audibly prominent, there's some truly sublime work done by drummer Fredriksson here too, with a myriad of often subtle details that develops and maintain tension as well as flow in an at times mesmerizing manner. At least for those fond of listening to a quality drummer having a good day.

Tight and elegant interplay between the piano, bass and guitar is a feature throughout too, with various instances of two of these three combining in different manners as lead and support as well as arrangements where some or all of these instruments explore landscapes with a stronger focus on balance and a lesser emphasis on the role of the lead instrument. Otherwise I note that we get songs that explore the use of brief moments of silence as an effect, and a few occasions of songs that focus on exploring the balance between repetitive features and more expressive attitudes and in a rather compelling manner at that. While we do get the more expressive aspect of jazz as a presence, this part of the genre is present in what I'd describe as more of a listener-friendly variety. And while present and a presence, it is in a minor way, at least in my opinion. Careful flow and careful development are the defining characteristics of this album as far as I'm concerned.

If you tend to enjoy elegant instrumental jazz where careful flow and momentum are key aspects and where the piano and the guitar are key instruments, this latest solo album by Adam Forkelid is one that merits a listen. An elegant, flowing and tight creation that should find favour among those who enjoy a detailed and nuanced but also listener friendly variety of atmospheric laden and flowing instrumental jazz.

Olav M. Björnsen, May 2024

Links:
https://www.adamforkelid.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jazz.naxosdirect.se