Release Oct 27, 2017

"Circular Changes" is the second release of Michael Bloch Trio, moving the trio towards a more groove-based and melody-focused approach, creating a unique style of expression. 

The title suggests that we sometimes move in circles during our lives, but we still make progress and change. We return to places we've been to before, but things have changed. This is reflected in the character of the music. Several of the melodies suggest a sense of retrospection and light melancholy, while at the same time, their innovative freshness confirms that we live in the present and have moved on.

The music can be categorized as modern, melodic jazz, influenced by both classical and pop music. Many of the compositions appear to have simple harmonies, but underneath, there is a subtle complexity.

August 4, 2017

Nordic Circles is a Norwegian jazz project that aims to create unique jazz recordings through the collaboration between well-known and young performers within the Nordic jazz genre. The idea is also to extract new and exciting music by geographical diversification within the Nordic region.

Under the Clouds is the second release in a series, and the sequel to the internationally praised debut Winter Rainbow featuring Helge Lien and Tore Johansen among others. Under the Clouds features the young and promising vocalist Siril Malmedal Hauge, the grammy winning Swedish pianist Lars Jansson, Danish star bassist Jesper Bodilsen, ECM guitarist Jacob Young, up and coming saxophonist Magnus Bakken and drummer Anders Thorén.

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May 26, 2017

”Alder ego” is an ensemble created by the 33-year old drummer & composer Joonas Leppänen. It features a group of prime young talents from the buzzing Finnish jazz scene: Jarno Tikka on tenor saxophone, Tomi Nikku on trumpet and Teemu Åkerblom on double bass.

The piano-less concept of the band creates a spacious foundation, where the lucid interplay of trumpet, saxophone and the subtle harmonics of the bass can roam free. This defines the unique sound of ”Alder ego”.

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May 5, 2017

This trio started as a project band five years ago to explore jazz and improvisation - now they are ready with a debut album full of creative compositions, strong interplay and a unique band sound.

Associated with Water is an album made with a compositional approach that aims to float seemingly from jazz to classical to folk. It contains emotional impressionistic passages followed by groovy balkan bass-lines, modern jazz themes and Chopin-like rubato “islands”.

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November 4, 2016 (Scandinavia) January 13, 2017 (World-wide)

Bridges is a Norwegian jazz project with a clear vision; a vision to create an expression that is unique by constructing new musical bridges between Norway and other parts of the world.

This debut album proudly features one of the worlds leading tenor saxophonists, New York based Seamus Blake, together with a norwegian ensemble of high caliber: Hayden Powell on trumpet, Espen Berg on piano, Ole Morten Vågan on bass and Anders Thorén on drums.

Freedom meets structure as the ensemble explores intricate compositions as well as open landscapes of free improvisation in legendary Rainbow Studio, Oslo.

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February 3, 2017

«Near and How»  is an album documenting the long-standing musical partnership shared by bassist Paolo Benedettini, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, pianist Bruno Montrone and drummer Adam Pache. The music recorded is a reflection of what they have come to achieve touring together: an aesthetic deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, filtered through the modern sound of New York today, with an emphasis on original compositions and a liberal take on tunes from the standard repertoire. 

Joe Magnarelli, the featured soloist of the group, is without doubt one of the leading jazz artists on the trumpet today, having collaborated over the years with Harry Connick, Ray Barretto, Mulgrew Miller, the Carnegie Hall Orchestra and the Lincoln Center Orchestra, amongst many others.

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January 27, 2017

OK:KO is a Finnish jazz band led by drummer Okko Saastamoinen. Land E. is the band’s debut release. Depite the bands short lifespan, it has already won the Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition and was voted as the audience favourite. In the fall of 2016, OK:KO was also nominated as the We Jazz Rising Star of 2016. 

The music on Land E. is dominated by strong and beautiful melodies that clearly reflect Okko´s musical heritage. He puts an emphasis on leaving lots of room for improvisation by his open and spacious approach to songwriting. This helps to keep the music fresh and creates a multidimensional and high-spirited expression, ranging from fragile soundscapes to rough and flamboyant interaction.

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January 20, 2017

«Modes for All Eternity» is a daring new conceptual album by the nordic jazz quartet Wako in collaboration with string ensemble Oslo Strings. It will take the listener on a journey through ancient times; featuring chilling suspense and drama, introducing a five-part suite and honor truly remarkable persons such as the great Greek lyrists Sappho and Emily Dickinson.

Wako & Oslo Strings consists of seven young established musicians, whom received much praise doing various projects both on the Norwegian and the International scene in 2016. They are known from bands such as Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Espen Berg Trio, Megalodon Collective, Trondheimsolistene and Trondheim Symphony Orchestra.

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April 29, 2016

«Scripted Conversations» is trumpet player Simen Kiil Halvorsen´s debut album. It´s also the name of his new sextet, where Simen himself is the band leader and composer. The project started when he received the Mølster-Award at MaiJazz International Jazz Festival in Stavanger, Norway. 

The band consists of some of the country´s leading and most acknowledged young musicians. They are known from bands and projects such as Atomic, Moskus, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Hanna Paulsberg Concept, Past Present and Significant Time.  

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March 4, 2016

With its large lineup, Ninjabeat carries a broad repertoire, ranging from calm and melodious, to heavy and full of attitude. The music is bridging genres such as jazz, fusion, pop, rock and soul. Even though the compositions can be both complex and detailed, the band performs with a playfulness and elegance that can even make an inexperienced listener catch the beat.

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January 29, 2016

«Memento» is Ayumi Tanaka Trio’s debut album, and a solid statement from the japanese born composer, pianist and band leader. Together with two highly acclaimed norwegian musicians: up and coming Christian Meaas Svendsen on bass and grammy-winning Per Oddvar Johansen on drums, the trio thoroughly explores their unique musical universe thoughout an album that challenges the traditional piano trio format.

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October 16, 2015

The album «Cycles» is where American jazz meets the nordic jazz sound. The title «Cycles» reflects the many phases we go through in life. When one thing ends another begins.

After four years at Berklee College of Music, Magnus has influences from both nordic jazz and the rich traditions in American jazz. It was cultural exchange, and a journey across the Atlantic ocean that inspired the album «Cycles». 

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September 4, 2015

"First Light" is a personal album that summarizes more than two decades of musical experience. It is the result of a longer process, a search for a distinctive musical expression. 

Behind this, is a vision of creating a musical expression that incorporates the emotional intensity of John Coltrane and the lyrical style of Bill Evans,  combined with influences from classical and contemporary music.

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March 18, 2015

Nordic Circles is a new and unique nordic jazz project. The core idea is to bring together the elite of known and unknown Nordic jazz musicians in a collaborative and spontaneous process to create a unique expression that highlights nordic improvisational music.

Winter Rainbow is the first release in a series of recordings that will feature unique constellations of nordic top musicians.

This recording combines the melancolic beauty in Tore Johansen´s trumpet playing and Helge Lien´s brilliant playfullness on the piano, with Per Orvang´s warm and atmospherical guitar playing. The complexity of this trio rests on a steady and dynamic rhythmical foundation, built by Anders Ljungberg and Anders Thorén.

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June 6, 2014

This wonderful debut album by Anders Thorén Quartet, entitled “Sources of Inspiration”, gives a clear reference to the sources that inspired Anders Thorén to come back to music after a lenghty hiatus.  

Thorén has chosen one of his main mentors as featuring artist; the eminent, grammy-winning pianist Lars Jansson. Spillemanspris- winning (Norwegian grammy) bassist Frode Berg, and the upcoming saxophonist Børge-Are Halvorsen make up the rest of this solid line-up together with bandleader/producer Thorén behind the drums.

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