The seven pieces featured here were recorded live in 2004 and 2005, and six of them are Lien originals. On the opening two pieces, the Chopinesque "Putte" and the ethereal "En Ganske Liten Runding," the three musicians exchange roles. Lien outlines a theme; Berg pushes it into a rhythmic module; Aalefjær dresses it with his unorthodox approach, not trying to draw any timekeeping pattern but instead presenting timbral shades and emphases. The performances are measured and unhurried, and the three players respond almost telepathically to each other. "Spiral Circle," with its pretty and romantic theme, tips its hat to Keith Jarrett's mid-1970s European quartet. "De Små Bjørnene" features the trio at its most humorous. The interpretation of Paul Desmond's "Take Five" is quite startling, based on contrasting percussive timbres from Aalefjær that define the piece as rhythm-based texture. Even Lien's playing and articulation of the familiar theme complies with Aalefjær's concept. The concluding piece, "Nav Og Natt," is a soulful ballad. The trio's debut disc, What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? (Curling Legs, 2001), after the Michael Legrand song, posed a challenging question. I know that I will keep my ears wide open for whatever this great trio will do in the future. - technology factory.eu
Helge Lien Trio does not consist of just anyone. We are talking about some of the finest musicians in the country, besides mr. Lien; Frode Berg and Knut Aalefjær. And when Lien finds his magical compositional pen, and brings his companions into aesthetic and superb interaction, one can't help but give in.
All the songs are signed Lien seen away from the standard song Take Five (Paul Desmond). It opens quietly with Putte, which is a quiet ballad with a church feel. Those who have heard Anders Widmark's record Psalms understand what I'm talking about. While Lien explores the melody in various variations, Aalefjær shows why many want him on their top three list of Norwegian percussionists/drummers.
Sophisticated and nuanced rhythms build up the song until Frode Berg comes in with a suggestive bass riff in a slightly odd five-bar. And all while the piano continues with its melody and theme. The whole thing is built up and down again until everything turns into A Quite Small Round. Here, the production should be applauded for its imperceptible intervention. Putte and En Ganske Liten Runding were recorded in Lillehammer and Bergen, but you don't notice that if you don't read a little in the booklet and sit and stare at the display on the CD player.
Whether the title matches what you hear can be a matter of taste, but the key word is modern trio jazz with musical authority and a personal touch. For my part, I'm left with Brad Mehldau in mind and a conviction that this is damn good! That the trio has been together for almost six years sounds good. Lien and Berg thrive as sparring partners and throw ideas at each other and float around in Aalefjær, the personified ether.
The next track is, for me, a demonstration of the power of what three musicians can exhibit in 2:40 minutes. Big!! Spiral Circle, which opens the album Asymmetrics (2003), takes the album down again to the psalm-like sound one hears from the gospel columnist Tord Gustavsen, but far more resilient and juicier. Now that Gustavsen has left the piano stool to Lien in the Silje Nergård Band, it will be interesting to hear what happens.
In The Small Bears, Berg shows off his infamous drive. A study in time and groove. We also get the first spontaneous applause from the audience after the interplay between piano and drums. I hear the same excitement when the first people recognize the first blues lick from Take Five. And that after Aalefjær has entered the drums' Hall of Fame. Berg also excels with just about everything you can do on a double bass, and I can't help but think that Take Five has now been done once and for all.
"Nav og Natt" rounds off 50 minutes with lust and enthusiasm, and a hope that this trio will not be strangers to the Norwegian jazz scene in the time to come. - Asgaut Geithus
Tracks
1. Putte
2. En ganske liten runding
3. Men, er det jazz
4. Spiral Circle
5. De små bjørnene
6. Take Five (Paul Desmond)
7. Nav og natt
HELGE LIEN piano
FRODE BERG acoustic bass
KNUT AALEFJAER drums
All compositions by Helge Lien, except (6) by Paul Desmond)
Recorded live: 1 & 3 from concert at Blue Note Jazzklubb, Lillehammer, Aug 24th 2005
2, 4 & 5 from concert at Nattjazz, Bergen, May 28th 2005
6 & 7 from concert in Bergen, October 8th 2004
Curling Legs - clp cd 95