Mats Eilertsen - Radio Yonder (2009)

This exciting CD from bassist Mats Eilertsen features his new quartet and is his best and most accessible album to date. Joining him is saxophone maestro Tore Brunborg who has recorded with Manu Katche for ECM, and, like Eilertsen, is also a member Tord Gustavsen's group. The two other components of 'Radio Yonder' are the dazzling guitar playing of Thomas Dahl and the inspiring and supportive drums and percussion of Olavi Louhivuori who is currently a member of the Tomasz Stanko Quintet. The resulting music is both melodic and energetic and has a strong lyrical vein. The CD also showcases Mats Eilertsen as a solid and inventive songwriter. All the material on the disc is written by the bassist except "Hunting High and Low" by Norwegian pop group A-ha that the quartet plays a splendid cover of. Personnel: Tore Brunborg (saxophone), Thomas T Dahl (guitar), Mats Eilertsen (double bass), Olavi Louhivuori (drums)