Moder (Mother) is the debut album of Norwegian young jazz flutist and composer Henriette Eilertsen (of Andreas Røysum Ensemble, Billy Meier, and OJKOS) and her working trio, featuring Swedish, Oslo-based cellist (and double bass player) and electronics player Joel Ring (who plays with Eilertsen in Andreas Røysum Ensemble), and Norwegian drummer Øystein Aarnes Vik. Norwegian keyboard player and percussionist Jon Balke joins the trio on three pieces.
The album’s title embraces Eilertsen’s musical agenda – a caring force that digs into something mother-earthly, and something more abstract and overarching. The flute functions as a narrator throughout the album; sometimes at the center of the plot, sometimes observing from a distance.
Eilertsen’s rich and versatile musical universe touches mythology (the opening piece «Fly Ikaros»), literature («Meeting Joyce»), and botany («Botanisk vinterhage»). Her warm flute sound navigates across cultures and continents, as if she were inspired by traditional folk, shepherd songs, as well as more elaborate and ritualistic dances and melodies of concert halls. Eilertsen Trio presents ten of her compositions that suggest imaginary and mysterious, ancient and new world music, as if they offer a timeless, common musical ground between India, the Mediterranean, and West Africa.
Eilertsen Trio embraces her compositions with an intimate, joyful, and passionate interplay (and Moder is released on the International Day of Happiness, March 13), enjoying the many possibilities for inquisitive improvisations. Ring’s subtle, abstract electronics and live processing add more color to these expansive, infectious themes. Balke introduces a deeper dimension with his non-compromising and timeless tone (especially on «Kulturistisk inngang»). But it is Eilertsen’s fresh and bold aesthetics, her unique, innovative vision, and elegant performance that carry the sheer beauty of Moder.
Eyal Hareuveni
Henriette Eilertsen (flute), Joel Ring (cello, electronics), Øystein Aarnes Vik (drums), Jon Balke (keyboards, percussion)
