Daniel Sommer / Arve Henriksen / Johannes Lundberg - 2024 - Sounds & Sequences

(42:40; April Records)






















Track list:
1. Vejen til Epidemin 4:14
2. Hey, Superhero 3:26
3. Skyggespil 6:07
4. Trumsolo 1:59
5. Blue-Seven 2:00
6. Gothenburg Volume Three 4:07
7. Sounds and Sequences 7:19
8. Ego Ekko 3:30
9. Beautiful Daisy 3:36
10. Powerglass 3:52
11. End Wave 2:30

Line-up:
Daniel Sommer - drums
Arve Henriksen - trumpet, electronics, vocals
Johannes Lundberg - bass, electronics


The album "Sounds & Sequences" is the result of a Scandinavian collaboration, led by Danish musician Daniel Sommer, with Norwegian artist Henriksen and Swedish artist Lundberg joining him on this production. The album is the second of a planned trilogy of creations by Sommer, of which the first album was released in the spring of 2024 and the third is planned for release in the spring of 2025. "Sounds & Sequences" was released in the fall of 2024 through Danish label April Records.

It is a distinctly dreamladen affair we get with this album, and one that in mood and atmosphere reminded me ever so slightly of Jan Garbarek's "Twelve Moons" album from back in the day. For those with good memories. But while there are similarities in moods and atmospheres, the components are markedly different in the case of this album.

Ethereal textures that carefully flow and float is a key element throughout here, with electronic sounds and some very carefully applied brass details combining to create landscapes of a tranquil nature where melancholic moods going on mournful are staples throughout. Creations that provide emotional associations towards longing more than anything else, and in the fall season the longing for the summer that was may be an appropriate example I suspect. The key aspect, I guess, is that everything is careful, delicate and deliberate. At least initially.

The songs do tend to become a bit more intense as they progress. The percussion, either non-existent or a very careful presence initially, tends to become more expressive and more of a dominant factor as the songs develop. The brass details may develop from a careful, distant presence to a more distinct one. The tempo and intensity may increase too, and even if they don't the percussion in particular tends to become a more busy presence but also retaining a careful mode of delivery. With occasional use of a more chaotic and impact-oriented expression towards the end of the songs.

Many of the songs have a little bit of a folk music flavor to them, and comes with the romantic melancholic tinges that suits those kinds of sounds. Towards the end of this album the threesome does a little bit of a shift though. Most markedly on 'Powerglass', where the tones and textures are more impact-oriented and dark, and where the gentle melancholy gives way to darker and more ominous landscapes. The concluding 'End Wave' retains many similar qualities, albeit in more of an understated manner where the haunting and ominous feel is a bit more of an undercurrent.

Melancholic landscapes with an occasional mournful or longing undercurrent dominate, with darker and more ominous creations appearing towards the end is what we get here, and with a little bit of a possibly folk music inspired touch being a minor defining aspect where the blend of regular instruments and electronic elements is the major one. Those who enjoy listening to jazz explored in a more ethereal and dreamladen manner will find a lot to enjoy in the delicate, careful and flowing landscapes explored on this mainly instrumental production.

Olav M. Björnsen, October 2024

Links:
https://www.danielsommer.dk/
https://aprilrecords.com/

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