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Norway … wild, mountainous landscapes, glaciers, fjords, islands and islets are onirics. Who doesn’t dream to step one day into the Artic Circle and contemplate (at least one time) the Land of the Midnight Sun where in summer the sun doesn’t set, and in winter the land remains dark for long periods of time.

Norwegians hold the reputation in Europe of being neat and new-fangled life’s precursors. As their territory inflicts on them amazing vibes, their artist folk are special characters. It’s not surprising that Norwegian saxophonist Karl Seglem brings together music and poetry, inspired by the beautiful landscapes that he transforms into peaceful soundscapes.

New North harbours peaceful scenery, recalled and painted by the goat horn and Seglem’s tenor. To this he has added some fusion instruments and abstractions. The result is without a doubt a winning new release.“Med Jesus Vil Eg Fara” and "Sullan Lullan" are traditional psalms and song. Karl Seglem has marvellously arranged them without losing their thoughtful and poignant meaning. Berit Opheim’s voice is breathtaking. “Ny Avskjed-New Goodbye”, “Edge” and “Ritual” are perfect pieces of smooth jazz loaded with melodious textures. All tracks have a poetic print that invites meditation and solace.

Not only is Karl Seglem an accomplished musicimarvelouslyan, he is also a poet, proving that inspiration comes from our spirit. The spirit is memory and fidelity, fantasy and invention, poetry and will. But … spirit is not a substance, it is an act. Only in humans is the brain able to transform spirit into an act and often in the present moment.

New North is pure poetic jazz, acting out from Seglem’s spirit.

Reviewed by: Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez
Review: http://www.jazzreview.com/cd/review-18088.html