In The Country Losing Stones, Collecting Bones CD - Import

This is the second full-length release from In The Country, a Norwegian-based piano trio led by pianist Morten Qvenild (Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, Shining, Damp), along with bass player Roger Arntzen and drummer Pål Hulsken. Since their debut, they have been selected best young jazz artists in Norway and played concerts in Europe and the USA and released their debut album This Was The Pace Of My Heartbeat to much critical acclaim. Downbeat called it "one of the finest and most arresting albums to come out of Europe" that year, Mojo said "startling", Straight No Chaser said "fantastic," and a host of others followed. Losing Stones... is 11 brand new Qvenild originals that are bound to establish him as a writer with a strong signature - original and melodic with elements from pop, rock, country, folk, gospel, blues and classical. It's all quite accessible, but also very rich in detail, with new twists and melodic turns that are revealed with each listen. His playing is, naturally, the focal point of the trio, but Arntzen and Hausken are not merely the pianist's rhythm section. This release was recorded in the legendary Atlantis Studio in Stockholm, home of the first classic Abba recordings and full of vintage analog equipment. Special guest artists include Marc Ribot (guitar) and Stefan Sundström (vocals). Engineered by Janne Hansson, mastered by Bob Katz, artwork by Kim Hiorthøy. Morten Qvenild: grand piano, celesta, Hammond organ and vocals; Roger Arntzen: double bass and vocals; Pål Hausken: drums, percussion, vibraphone, glockenspiel and vocals.

Recording information: Atlantis Studio; Audio Virus Lab; Noise-Industries, NY; Nosie-Industries, NY.

Editor: Helge Sten.

Personnel: Morten Qvenild (vocals, piano, grand piano, celesta, harmonium); Pål Hausken (vocals, vibraphone, glockenspiel, drums, percussion); Roger Arntzen (vocals, double bass); Stefan Sundström (vocals); Marc Ribot (guitar).

Audio Mixers: Rune Kristoffersen; Janne Hansson; Morten Qvenild.

Q (p.102) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "The trio's second album is almost spectral in its underlying melancholy....Its desolation is also rather alluring."
Uncut (p.88) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A]n intimate, piano-centric abstraction of folk, jazz and country."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "'Take Me Over' is the essence of ITC, the trio drawing toward each other as if the outside world never existed."