Sommer explores vulnerability, intuition, and the dialogue between electronic and acoustic sounds, creating a contrast in aesthetic and mood to the previous record.
April Records
Daniel Sommer – Drums, Compositions; Arve Henriksen – Trumpet, Electronics, Vocals; Johannes Lundberg – Double Bass, Electronics, Recording, and Mixing
SOUNDS & SEQUENCES marks Daniel Sommer’s second installment of his Nordic Trilogy. In this series, he’s documenting Nordic composition and improvisation, each time with a different ensemble. Sommer didn’t want to record the same type of music three times, and you can feel that shift here.
AS TIME PASSES, the first in the trilogy, was one of the standout trio records of the year—quieter, more delicate, with Sommer frequently using brushes. On SOUNDS & SEQUENCES, he’s taken a bolder approach, relying more on sticks, and the drumming feels more assertive, but he still steers clear of flashy, extended solos.
Joined by Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen and Swedish bassist Johannes Lundberg, Sommer explores vulnerability, intuition, and the dialogue between electronic and acoustic sounds, creating a contrast in aesthetic and mood to the previous record.
‘Vejen Til Epidemic ’carries an ominous tone, with swirling electronic waves, Henriksen’s ethereal trumpet weaving delicate phrases, Lundberg’s deep, resonant bass, and the occasional shimmer of a light cymbal crash.
‘Hey, Superhero’ features a beautifully airy trumpet, Henriksen’s breathy tone subtly altered by electronics. The forceful bass provides a solid anchor, while the tasty drumming gets louder and takes on a more aggressive edge. Waves of electronics drift in, like a distant flock of something moving across the horizon.
The brief ‘Blue – Seven ’finds Sommer focusing on the snare and bass drum, while the bowed bass adds an especially beautiful touch. The trumpet, with some gentle help from electronics, echoes like a series of foghorns, hinting at looming danger.
Henriksen lends his voice to “Beautiful Daisy,” singing in a soprano range that could easily be mistaken for a woman’s. He also incorporates overtone singing, sounding otherworldly. The drumming is sparse, and the basslines are minimal, allowing the eerily beautiful vocals to take center stage. It feels like you’re witness to an ancient ritual, steeped in mystery.
The drums at the beginning of the title track “Sounds & Sequences” have a primitive quality that sets a raw, earthy tone. The synthesizer and trumpet seem to plead for progress, while the drums grow louder and more dynamic, with the electronic effects taking on a rock edge. Henriksen plays with increasing intensity, culminating in a powerful crescendo and his soaring falsetto voice.
All three musicians emphasized that the main focus of SOUNDS & SEQUENCIES was to challenge themselves by embracing vulnerability and intuition in their music. They aimed to push the boundaries between electronic and acoustic elements within the Nordic jazz tradition while incorporating free improvisation. The third installment of Sommer’s trilogy is set to be released in Spring 2025.
