MP3: Kornstad - Sweden
The debut solo album "Single engine" from Norwegian saxophonist Håkon Kornstad is exactly that - a solo album. There's a few tracks that feature minimal accompaniment, but for the most part, it's all Kornstad and nothing else. There's also a few pieces where he employs a sampler to accompany himself, but even that is used sparingly. I'm often skeptical of records like this since I'm concerned with whether or not they'll hold my attention with a single instrument. In this case however, Kornstad is such a masterful player that my fears are instantly allayed. It was simply listening to the streaming player on his website that first grabbed my attention and I was sold. The track I've decided to share today is "Sweden", one of the more playful and straightforward compositions from the record (note: the musician credits on site are wrong. The Hammond and double bass are actually on "B", track #4). I just love the way he nonchalantly tosses in licks while playing the main riff, totally changing his tone for each. Not just a beautiful piece of music, but fun too.
Kornstad - Sweden