Frode Berg Discography of CDs

Frode Berg albums Three Norwegians (bassist Frode Berg, tenor saxophonist Petter Wettre, and drummer Andreas Bye) and a British pianist (Roy Powell) team up to perform original music (five songs by Berg and two by Powell) that sounds quite American. Most of the selections are high-energy modal music with an occasional departure, including the bossa nova "Another Song," the mostly free "Dig It!," and the bowed-bass feature on the mournful ballad "Victor." One song, a version of "Giant Steps" in 7/4 time, sounds nearly impossible to play. The musicians are all excellent, but tenor saxophonist Petter Wettre consistently steals the show. His passionate playing, most influenced by Michael Brecker, is often quite explosive. Pianist Powell has his good spots (particularly on "Dig It!" and "Hocum"), drummer Bye is ferocious on the uptempo tunes (à la Elvin Jones), and leader Berg shows versatility on both acoustic and electric basses. It may not be innovative overall, but there is certainly plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and musicianship on this winning post-bop set. ~ Scott Yanow Personnel includes: Frode Berg (acoustic & 6-string electric basses); Petter Wettre (tenor saxophone); Roy Powell (piano); Andreas Bye (drums).

Frode Berg CD discography As the only horn, Jens Wendelboe is the dominant performer and while he would fit in fine with the likes of Robin Eubanks, John Fedchock, A Rick Stepton, Tony Lada, and other mainstays of the modern Jazz trombone, Wendelboe's rough edged tone is just different enough to distinguish him as a unique personality. Solid meat 'n potatoes (are his game, with a forceful approach that is tempered somewhat on the slower numbers such as 'Your Song." Lest anyone question his talents, just hear him soar with fabulous emotional impact on the supercharged "Fast Slide" which closes the set: Wendelboe rips through the chords, evidencing solid technique and good range. The rhythm section, especially drummer Erik Smith, cooks a lusty brew, never missing a beat, providing more than ample support. Crazy Energy Jazz Quartet: Jens Wendelboe (trombone); Torge Railo (piano); Frode Berg (bass); Erik Smith (drums).

Frode Berg albums When a musician is from a Scandinavian country and his album is titled Hello Troll, someone who is unfamiliar with his work could easily assume that the music has something to do with death metal, black metal, Viking metal, or folk-metal. Trolls, after all, are mythical creatures from Nordic mythology, and Nordic mythology of pre-Christian times has been a prominent theme among Scandinavian extreme metal bands. One of Finland's best-known metal bands, in fact, is named Finntroll. But Hello Troll has nothing to do with metal. The focus of Norwegian pianist Helge Lien is straight-ahead post-bop jazz, and on Hello Troll, he embraces the time-honored acoustic piano trio format (Frode Berg is on upright bass, Knut Aalefjær on drums). Over the years, that format has been successful for a wide variety of acoustic jazz pianists ranging from Erroll Garner to Cecil Taylor to ...

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