Wollesen Ferm: Heart in Hand

Rating: ★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Rune Kjeldsen (g)
Anders Christensen (b)
Ned Ferm (ts, f, cl, vn, perc, ky)
Kenny Wollesen (d, perc, p, vb)

Label:

Stunt

February/2023

Media Format:

CD, DL

Catalogue Number:

STUCD 22022

RecordDate:

Rec. August and December 2021

Wollesen and Ferm are American but rooted in Copenhagen and active in the scene there. Their debut as co-leaders on record sets out their stall as free-thinkers in terms of sound and execution. They open with an engagingly ethereal reading of the old Al Jolson favourite ‘Sonny Boy’, Ferm's half-spoken tenor presenting the melody in near-Getzian fashion over a distant chordal background. Thereafter the music, save for Oklahoma!'s ‘Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’', the album's final track, is all of their own doing.

‘Satan Doll’ [sic], is more assertive, fervent even, the tenor expostulations cushioned by an electronically-enhanced wash of sound. Much is made in the notes about both the provenance of this music and the multiplicity of inputs and over-dubbings that are deployed certainly create an enlightening aural experience. ‘Down and Forward’, as elsewhere, features Ferm, the backdrop this time evoking urbanity, the hubbub interspersed with momentary vibes splashes and the rather fine Metheny-like guitar of Kjeldsen. While I might like this as an aid to sleep, it certainly stretches this reviewer's remit. Is it jazz? Ferm's and Kjeldsen's pleasing solo interjections meet that bill. It is possible to even hear momentary allusions to Rollins from his Alfie soundtrack recording but this is no blowing date, rather a carefully assembled series of mostly soporific sound pictures. Music to nod off to, I’d say.

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