The title of Harald Lassen‘s third solo release is a very fitting one as he draws varied but unified performances from the sympathetic players fluttering around his mellifluous melodies.
There is intimacy here, close-up sounds evolving just for you, a soft air of someone with something special to show. There are no sudden moves and the piano and guitar, with arms entwined, evoke a kind of happy solitude.
There is a lot of variety in the ideas; the almost pop simplicity of “Dada-Dadida” has interplay that is a delight to behold from the trotting bass to the shimmering vibes. There is a place for everyone and this could be the theme to a particularly joyous excursion as piano and guitar step out, kicking their heels, throwing their clothes over their heads and rushing for the lake, flute fluttering around their heads. The piece is long enough to encompass different moods, a dazed haze offering the comedown after the initial rush, adrenalin spent, but the good feeling still flowing through the system. A subtle Latin rhythm kicks up a little dust in “Jeg Elsker Deg”, but it is still a gentle process, players taking it in turns to dim the lights and draw the listener into the warm halo. It is this choice of players that is key, everyone drawing subtle lines around the melodies and then using pastel shades to colour in around Harald’s ideas. There is a lovely metallic rhythm to “When He Sleeps” that sounds as if it is constructed from bottle caps and lends real character to the swaying sax’s focus.The album is full of warmth, friendship and welcome, and an air of playful exuberance even escapes towards the end, the Clangers-like ululations of “Impromptu Wonder” freeing us from worry, an open-air jaunt with everything gradually freeing up. Harald takes the sax on a spiritual journey, all eyes and hearts opening up as it ascends, searching for answers while the others accompany with little textures, helping to guide him as the piano later plays the foil, a grounded antidote that draws the drama to a measured conclusion.
Balans is an album of thoughtful process and delightful melody that shows the best of the gathered musicians, all gently working toward this satisfying whole. It is smooth without being cloying, with plenty of adventure; but not so that its audience becomes disorientated. Balans welcomes the listener and draws them into a unique musical evolution.-Mr Olivetti-
