Pianist Tord Gustavsen takes some time away from his usual trio sound with an adventurous session with vocalist Simin Tander and long-time drummer Jarle Vespestad. Gustavsen not only plays his usually spacious and deeply reflective piano here, but he adds some electronics and synthesized bass for direction and atmosphere.
Gustavsen continues to show his affinity for traditional church music, and his compositions and improvisations here as the Afghan-Germanic Tander delivers lyrics from the likes of Jala al-Din Rum (1207-73), as well as more recent poets Coleman Barks and Kenneth Rexroth.Tander’s voice is haunting yet celestial, sometimes sounding indie and other times traditional. The songs such as “A Castle In Heaven” and “Longing To Praise Thee” have a monastic simplicity to them, while “What Was Said to the Rose/O Sacred Hart” and “The Source of Now” hover like the smoke from candles in the Narthex. Deep like a midnight service.
ECM Records