One of this century’s first true modern classics, this 2004 album from Supersilent member and experimental shakuhachi-style trumpet player Arve Henriksen has long been a reference points for Jazz music of the most quietly absorbing variety, containing what must surely rank as one of the most beautiful opening tracks of any album in recent memory...
We’re not sure what took them so long, but Rune Grammofon finally get around to pressing Arve Henriksen’s Chiaroscuro [2004] on wax, rendering its sublime, otherworldly, etheric appeal on the format most befitting of its classic status. Replete with the breathtaking Opening Image and that beautiful cover art now blown up to 12”x 12”, this gorgeous record is quietly awaiting a slot in any and all collections of contemporary ambient, classical composition.
Originally released on CD as the second solo album by virtuoso Norwegian trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist, Henriksen - who was by then already esteemed on the jazz and classical circuit and for his work with the Supersilent ensemble alongside Helge Sten (Deathprod, who also mastered this LP) - this album deeply perfused and coloured the listening lives of ourselves and many, many others with an enchanted breeze of flyaway vocals, trumpet and percussion diffused with a sublime butterfly effect of electro-acoustic process.
"Chiaroscuro" ("light and shade") is quite an unbelievable listen - cinematic in a way that defies pastiche, a vast panoramic ocean of sound reduced to the most silent, heart-wrenching string arrangements, samples (courtesy of Jan Bang) and a whispered sweep of barely audible percussion (from Audun Kleive), hovering around Henriksen unique, mesmerising trumpet playing and broken voice.
Its incredibly gentle, diaphanous arrangements would, pretty understandably, end up licensed for TV and film, which is where many would have osmotically absorbed the likes of Opening Image without having a clue who made it. For us, it was a staple in our old shop, Pelicanneck [1998-2007] and therefore instantly redolent of the smell of fresh coffee and waffles and Carol Batton poetry. Over ten years later it still has that faintly nostalgic effect, but more in the comforting way of a ubiquitous classic which, no matter your exposure to it, will always hold a special place in your heart.
Highest recommendation.
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One of this century’s first true modern classics, this 2004 album from Supersilent member and experimental shakuhachi-style trumpet player Arve Henriksen has long been a reference points for Jazz music of the most quietly absorbing variety, containing what must surely rank as one of the most beautiful opening tracks of any album in recent memory...
We’re not sure what took them so long, but Rune Grammofon finally get around to pressing Arve Henriksen’s Chiaroscuro [2004] on wax, rendering its sublime, otherworldly, etheric appeal on the format most befitting of its classic status. Replete with the breathtaking Opening Image and that beautiful cover art now blown up to 12”x 12”, this gorgeous record is quietly awaiting a slot in any and all collections of contemporary ambient, classical composition.
Originally released on CD as the second solo album by virtuoso Norwegian trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist, Henriksen - who was by then already esteemed on the jazz and classical circuit and for his work with the Supersilent ensemble alongside Helge Sten (Deathprod, who also mastered this LP) - this album deeply perfused and coloured the listening lives of ourselves and many, many others with an enchanted breeze of flyaway vocals, trumpet and percussion diffused with a sublime butterfly effect of electro-acoustic process.
"Chiaroscuro" ("light and shade") is quite an unbelievable listen - cinematic in a way that defies pastiche, a vast panoramic ocean of sound reduced to the most silent, heart-wrenching string arrangements, samples (courtesy of Jan Bang) and a whispered sweep of barely audible percussion (from Audun Kleive), hovering around Henriksen unique, mesmerising trumpet playing and broken voice.
Its incredibly gentle, diaphanous arrangements would, pretty understandably, end up licensed for TV and film, which is where many would have osmotically absorbed the likes of Opening Image without having a clue who made it. For us, it was a staple in our old shop, Pelicanneck [1998-2007] and therefore instantly redolent of the smell of fresh coffee and waffles and Carol Batton poetry. Over ten years later it still has that faintly nostalgic effect, but more in the comforting way of a ubiquitous classic which, no matter your exposure to it, will always hold a special place in your heart.
Highest recommendation.
One of this century’s first true modern classics, this 2004 album from Supersilent member and experimental shakuhachi-style trumpet player Arve Henriksen has long been a reference points for Jazz music of the most quietly absorbing variety, containing what must surely rank as one of the most beautiful opening tracks of any album in recent memory...
We’re not sure what took them so long, but Rune Grammofon finally get around to pressing Arve Henriksen’s Chiaroscuro [2004] on wax, rendering its sublime, otherworldly, etheric appeal on the format most befitting of its classic status. Replete with the breathtaking Opening Image and that beautiful cover art now blown up to 12”x 12”, this gorgeous record is quietly awaiting a slot in any and all collections of contemporary ambient, classical composition.
Originally released on CD as the second solo album by virtuoso Norwegian trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist, Henriksen - who was by then already esteemed on the jazz and classical circuit and for his work with the Supersilent ensemble alongside Helge Sten (Deathprod, who also mastered this LP) - this album deeply perfused and coloured the listening lives of ourselves and many, many others with an enchanted breeze of flyaway vocals, trumpet and percussion diffused with a sublime butterfly effect of electro-acoustic process.
"Chiaroscuro" ("light and shade") is quite an unbelievable listen - cinematic in a way that defies pastiche, a vast panoramic ocean of sound reduced to the most silent, heart-wrenching string arrangements, samples (courtesy of Jan Bang) and a whispered sweep of barely audible percussion (from Audun Kleive), hovering around Henriksen unique, mesmerising trumpet playing and broken voice.
Its incredibly gentle, diaphanous arrangements would, pretty understandably, end up licensed for TV and film, which is where many would have osmotically absorbed the likes of Opening Image without having a clue who made it. For us, it was a staple in our old shop, Pelicanneck [1998-2007] and therefore instantly redolent of the smell of fresh coffee and waffles and Carol Batton poetry. Over ten years later it still has that faintly nostalgic effect, but more in the comforting way of a ubiquitous classic which, no matter your exposure to it, will always hold a special place in your heart.
Highest recommendation.
One of this century’s first true modern classics, this 2004 album from Supersilent member and experimental shakuhachi-style trumpet player Arve Henriksen has long been a reference points for Jazz music of the most quietly absorbing variety, containing what must surely rank as one of the most beautiful opening tracks of any album in recent memory...
We’re not sure what took them so long, but Rune Grammofon finally get around to pressing Arve Henriksen’s Chiaroscuro [2004] on wax, rendering its sublime, otherworldly, etheric appeal on the format most befitting of its classic status. Replete with the breathtaking Opening Image and that beautiful cover art now blown up to 12”x 12”, this gorgeous record is quietly awaiting a slot in any and all collections of contemporary ambient, classical composition.
Originally released on CD as the second solo album by virtuoso Norwegian trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist, Henriksen - who was by then already esteemed on the jazz and classical circuit and for his work with the Supersilent ensemble alongside Helge Sten (Deathprod, who also mastered this LP) - this album deeply perfused and coloured the listening lives of ourselves and many, many others with an enchanted breeze of flyaway vocals, trumpet and percussion diffused with a sublime butterfly effect of electro-acoustic process.
"Chiaroscuro" ("light and shade") is quite an unbelievable listen - cinematic in a way that defies pastiche, a vast panoramic ocean of sound reduced to the most silent, heart-wrenching string arrangements, samples (courtesy of Jan Bang) and a whispered sweep of barely audible percussion (from Audun Kleive), hovering around Henriksen unique, mesmerising trumpet playing and broken voice.
Its incredibly gentle, diaphanous arrangements would, pretty understandably, end up licensed for TV and film, which is where many would have osmotically absorbed the likes of Opening Image without having a clue who made it. For us, it was a staple in our old shop, Pelicanneck [1998-2007] and therefore instantly redolent of the smell of fresh coffee and waffles and Carol Batton poetry. Over ten years later it still has that faintly nostalgic effect, but more in the comforting way of a ubiquitous classic which, no matter your exposure to it, will always hold a special place in your heart.
Highest recommendation.