A thoughtfully conceived and presented album that is engaging on multiple levels, with thought provoking lyrics and melodies that one heard are not easily forgotten.
Stunt Records STUCD2501 (CD) / STULP25011 (LP)
Josefine Cronholm (vocals & percussion), Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Bent Clausen (vibraphone, drums & percussion), Thommy Andersson (double bass, string arrangements) + Lena Fankhauser, Marta Potulska (viola) & Melissa Coleman (cello)
Adopting the title of their eponymous debut album as the name for the group, Josefine Cronholm, Kirk Knuffke and Thommy Andersson return for chapter two of this ongoing collaboration, this time with Danish drummer and percussionist Bent Clausen replacing Kenny Wollesen.
Although it is still early days, the groups debut album was released in 2021, the core quartet have quickly established a very distinctive ensemble sound. This is enhanced not only by Clausen doubling up on vibraphone, but also in the skilled use of strings on all but three of the featured compositions arranged by bassist Thommy Andersson. With Knuffke’s cornet the sound is warmer and noticeably less strident than a trumpet and wraps itself around Cronholm’s voice in a most agreeable manner.
The material presented here draws its inspiration from the words of the 12th century Japanese poet, Saigyō, and in particular Saigyō’s fascination and love of nature. From these early texts and their translations into English by Burton Watson and Meredith McKinney, Near The Pond introduces an intoxicating musical narrative that is likely to draw on Nordic soundscapes, the folklore of America, and even a gentle swing on ‘Life’s Long Sleep’, all delivered within a relaxed framework that allows each of the musicians to contribute fully within the ensemble sound.
Working within a framework that incorporates the atmospheric as heard on ‘The Call of Wild Geese Far and Near’ and the lovely ‘Winter Deepens in a Mountain Home’ in which Cronholm’s delicate and haunting voice is magnificently framed by a skeletal accompaniment and Knuffke’s intricate cornet asides and solo.
The music throughout this wonderful set is tender, lyrical and intensely aware of the inherent feeling and meaning of Saigyō’s poems. The opening ‘If Only’ has a fragility that that is deeply felt and the delicately nuanced vocals of Cronholm and Knuffke.
The music is not all taken an achingly slow tempo as another swinging melody ‘Time on My Pillow’ is reminiscent at times of Peggy Lee with a firm propulsive bass line and Knuffke again supportive on cornet and sharing vocal duties.
A thoughtfully conceived and presented album that is engaging on multiple levels, with thought provoking lyrics and melodies that one heard are not easily forgotten.
