The Door

Prize-winning young Norwegian trumpeter, Mathias Eick releases the first album under his own name, and focuses all the qualities that have made him a musician to be reckoned with in jazz of the last decade. Eick's resume includes work with musicians of many styles, from Chick Corea to Norwegian psychedelic rockers Motorpsycho. His multi-instrumentalism has been an important part of the sound of his primary project, the jazz/progressive rock ten-piece band Jaga Jazzist, signed to Ninja Tune. Eick allows plenty of free range for Jon Balke, whose resourcefulness as pianist in taking the path less trodden, is in evidence throughout. Drummer Audun Kleive has played with Terje Rypdal, Charles Lloyd and Marilyn Mazur. In tandem with bassist Audun Erlien, they develop the grooves and pulses. Guest Stian Carstensen is featured on pedal steel guitar, which is rare in jazz contexts.