Alf Kjellman Project

You'll Always Need Friends

Gemini Records GMCD 94

Kevin Dean-tpt, Frode Nymo-as, Jorn Oien-pno, Harald Johnson-bs, Ole Jacob Hansen-dms, Inge Stangvik-vcl, Alf Kjellman-composer.

Big Feathers-Small Bird/Viento del Norte/You'll always Need Friends / December Hangover/Mr. Dean Is Waiting For The Beep/ Everything/ Stone Valley Bounce/No One/I'm Tired/Capricorn/ Reimert's Waltz/ Central European Time/data track + video from sessions. TT: 63:14

In this unusual disc, Kjellman, shown at left although he doesn't play on this album, is leader-composer of fascinating bop and post-bop. His writing and arrangements are lean yet witty (i.e., I'm Tired) leaving a lot of space for improvisational soloing.

It's an all-Norwegian line-up, 'cept for Kevin Dean, who I think is Canadian. Ole Jacob Hansen, the only musician in the group I recognized, the one veteran here, but all are excellent players working beautifully together.

Inge Stangvik wrote the words to her two English-language vocals in this set, the title tune and Everything. On the latter she is accompanied only by the pianist.

There is a data track at the end of the CD with instructions of how to play it - a nice touch, even if it was beyond my limited PC skills. But the music's a fine addition to your collection and once again proves just how global our great music happens to be.

* Herb Young