Hans Ulrik - Day After Day (1992)

Hans Ulrik, born 1965, is one of the most highly esteemed musicians in Denmark. He worked and studied in the U.S.A. from 1984 to 1987, and has since then been based in Copenhagen, His music has a truly Nordic sound. His playing is powerful and the composing is melodic and accessible but never ordinary. Some of the best players in the world are gathered here with Hans Ulrik, and the result cannot be disregarded: Strong and emotional playing - music that makes sense! ~ storyvillerecords. 

Storyville Records, STCD 4189, 1992
Recorded 30th January & 2nd December, 1991 at Sound On Sound Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
Hans Ulrik - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
John Abercrombie - Guitars
Niels Lan Doky - Piano
Gary Peacock - Bass
Adam Nussbaum - Drums
Mino Cinelu - Percussion (#2)

Tracks:
1. Day After Day {Hans Ulrik} (5:52)
2. The Kelimbag {Hans Ulrik} (4:40)
3. Slowly {Hans Ulrik} (5:06)
4. Ordinary People (6:27)
5. Innocence {Hans Ulrik} (7:19)
6. Message Returned {Hans Ulrik} (4:45)
7. Domestic Life {Hans Ulrik} (5:22)
8. Mr. Mox {Hans Ulrik} (6:15)
9. Christmas Song #2 {Niels Lan Doky} (3:12) 

Total Time: 49:02 

Credits:
Producer - Niels Lan Doky
Executive Producer - Karl Emil Knudsen
Recording & Mixing Engineer - James Farber
Photography [Front & Back] - Gorm Valentin
Photography [Photos] - Felicia Nestor
Layout - Chris Olesen 

Slowly

Anders Mogensen - Taking Off (1995)

Anders Mogensen is currently being referred to as "the greatest Danish drummer since Alex Riel". His debut album on Storyville showcases Anders at his best. He is joined by a stellar cast of today's great musicians for a tour-de-force venture into musical nuances ranging from hard driving urban jazz grooves to subtle lyrical statements. Listen to this album and join the growing crowd of people who are already enjoying the sounds from one of the most exciting new artists on the jazz scene. ~ storyvillerecords.bandcamp.com. 

I'm Glad I Bought It
================
I'm a big fan of Rick Margitza. The contrast between Gary Thomas and Rick Margitza is very interesting. The sound of Gary Thomas is solid and I don't feel the charm as a tone, but I was impressed once again that he is following his own path without categorically changing his playing style from the time of his debut. ~ Leo, 5 Stars, Amazon.com. [Translated from Japanese] 

Storyville Records, STCD 4198, 1995
Recorded 1st October, 1994 at Sound on Sound, New York 

Musicians:
Anders Mogensen - Drums
Rick Margitza - Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
Gary Thomas - Tenor Saxophone
Niels Lan Doky - Piano
Ron McClure - Bass [Acoustic] 

Tracks:
1. Emergence {Anders Mogensen} (1:09)
2. F.F. {Anders Mogensen} (9:11)
3. Lonely {Anders Mogensen} (7:06)
4. Take Off {Anders Mogensen} (11:56)
5. Evidence {Thelonious Monk} (4:18)
6. Missing You {Anders Mogensen} (9:59)
7. Softly As A Morning Sunrise {Sigmund Romberg, Oscar Hammerstein II} (8:02) 

Total Time: 51:44 

Credits:
Producer - Niels Lan Doky
Executive Producer - Karl Emil Knudsen
Engineer - Peter Beckerman
Assistant Engineer - John R. Reigart III
Mastering - Hans Nielsen, Anders Mogensen
Photography - Art Zimmerman

Magnifique ~ Claude Mischler, 5 Stars, Amazon.com.

Klaus Suonsaari, NHØP, Niels Lan Doky - The Music Of Tom Harrell (1989)

Klaus Suonsaari is one musician for whom swing is a basic criterion for any musical project. Klaus and Tom Harrell started working together in 1985. Tom appears on Klaus’ 1988 debut album for Storyville Records "Reflecting Times" which also showcases Suonsaari's composing and arranging talents. This recording of Tom Harrell composition came about through Klaus' continued exposure to Tom's music. ~ StoryvilleRecords.com. 

An interesting concept. A trio of ace European musicians led by Klaus Suonsaari plays songs composed by trumpeter Tom Harrell, not among the better-known jazz writers but a fine contemporary player. Suonsaari teams with bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and pianist Niels Lan Doky to give Harrell unexpected exposure as a composer. ~ by Ron Wynn, AMG. 

Anaïs Records, 3ACD004, 1990
The Jazz Alliance, TJA-100 10, 1992
Storyville Records, STCD 8303, 2000
Recorded 30th July, 1989 at MTV Music Studios, Helsinki, Finland 

Musicians:
Klaus Suonsaari - Drums
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen - Acoustic Bass
Niels Lan Doky - Piano

Tracks:
1. Journey To The Centre {Tom Harrell} (4:01)
2. Buffalo Wings {Tom Harrell} (5:08)
3. Songflower {Tom Harrell} (6:54)
4. Terrestris {Tom Harrell} (6:13)
5. Water's Edge {Tom Harrell} (4:27)
6. Bell {Tom Harrell} (6:43)
7. Bright {Tom Harrell} (3:01)
8. Serenity {Klaus Suonsaari} (5:21)
9. Camera In A Bag {Ray Drummond} (4:56) 

Total Time: 46:48 

Credits:
Producer - Klaus Suonsaari
Executive Producer - Edouard Detmer
Recording Engineer - Harri Sutinen
Mastering Engineer - Jan Erik Kongshaug
Liner Notes - Ray Drummond

Klaus Suonsaari - Something In Common (1998)

Klaus Suonsaari's concern with sound and balance extend to the ensemble as well. Critic Jon Pareles, writing in the New York Times, stated that "Mr. Suonsaari fulfilled one of a bandleader's most important duties: choosing his group members well." Here Klaus has gathered one well-chosen assemblage of top American performers, and another consisting of respected players from his homeland, with the aim of bridging the gap between continents, and revealing the commonality of intent among European and American jazz artists. Klaus succeeds as a leader because of his sense of balance and his ability to find common ground between seemingly different elements. Tradition and originality... the European and American aesthetic... lyric beauty and freewheeling expressionism ("Song For S.R." is a glorious example) ... Klaus always finds "something in common" with which to engage the listener. ~ StoryvilleRecords.Bandcamp.com. 

Storyville Records, STCD 4218, 1998
11th-12th April, 1992 (#1-6) at Finnish Broadcasting Studios, Helsinki, Finland;
17th-18th February, 1989 (#7-12) at RPM Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
Klaus Suonsaari - Drums, Percussion & Vocals (#12), Arranger
Jukka Perko - Alto Saxophone (#2,6) Soprano Saxophone (#1,5)
Jerry Bergonzi - Tenor Saxophone (#7-12), Arranger (#9,10)
Jarmo Savolainen - Piano (#1,2,3,5,6), Arranger (#5)
Niels Lan Doky - Piano (#7-12)
Severi Pyysalo - Vibraphone (#1,2,5,6), Arranger (#6)
Mike Mainieri - Vibraphone (#7,8,11)
Eerik Siikasaari - Bass (#1,2,3,5,6)
Ray Drummond - Bass (#7-12)
Bobby Sanabria - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Ritual {Klaus Suonsaari} (7:39)
02. Jaska {Eerik Siikasaari} (6:25)
03. Motion {Klaus Suonsaari} (7:00)
04. Song For S.R. {Klaus Suonsaari} (2:05)
05. Inseparable {Jarmo Savolainen} (5:49)
06. Burning Bridges {Severi Pyysalo} (6:33)
07. Serenity {Klaus Suonsaari} (5:47)
08. Miles Apart [Part 2] {Klaus Suonsaari} (5:51)
09. Jab {Jerry Bergonzi} (7:20)
10. If I Were A Bell {Frank Loesser} (4:48)
11. Blues For G {Klaus Suonsaari} (6:54)
12. Happy People {Klaus Suonsaari} (5:07) 

Total Time: 71:18

Credits:
Producer - Klaus Suonsaari
Executive Producer - Karl Emil Knudsen
Engineer - Heikki Antero Savolainen [Helsinki]
Engineer - A.T. Michel [NYC]
Engineer - Hans Nielsen [Focus Recording, Copenhagen]
Layout - Richard Meyrick
Photo - Marja-Leena Helin
Artwork & Design [Cover] - Tina Eskilsson
Liner Notes - Scott Robinson