Press reactions Our Time

Some press reactions following the release of Trygve Seim and Frode Haltli’s duo album Our Time, produced by Manfred Eicher and released by ECM Records:

Effortlessly navigating between folk-inspired melodies and open drift, the Norwegian duo of saxophonist Trygve Seim and accordionist Frode Haltli returns with ‘Our Time’, their second collaborative release following their 2008 debut ‘Yeraz.’ The duo exhibits a sharp-eared empathy for diverse, world-inspired sounds, infusing each track with unique energy and churning detail, all while maintaining their characteristically lyrical approach. […] Having played together for nearly a quarter of a century, Seim and Haltli’s deep musical connection is evident in their well-versed exploration of texture and melody. ‘Our Time’ is a work that may leave some purists of sound sighing with pleasure, a testament to the depth of their artistic expression.
Filipe Freitas, Jazztrail

In a musical association that has spanned just short of a quarter of a century, Trygve Seim and Frode Haltli have conjured up sounds that encompass the history of their respective instruments while performing music that embraces traditional folk songs from around the world and freely improvised music. It is this instinctive understanding of the music and of each other’s playing that allows a sense of freedom to come into play and the duo relish in taking chances and exploring their repertoire from every possible angle. […] The marvel in this most intimate of musical setting is the close rapport and empathy between Haltli’s accordion that seemingly brings a limitless array of textures and soundscapes that Seim’s soprano and tenor saxophones accept as a means to elaborate both melodic and thematic improvisations. […] Another beautiful album that brings together the past and present in a programme in which melody and open communication is the order of the day.
Nick Lea, Jazz Views

It’s a beautiful, often beguiling instrumental set — recorded in Himmelfahrtskirche church in Munich. The two Norwegians conjure a far wider array of sounds and emotions than you might expect from just two instruments. Opener ‚Du, mi tid‘ is all dark textures with Seim’s saxophone work reminding me of John Surman, while the eight-minute Improvisation ‚No. 1/Fanfare‘ is a funereal, vaguely unsettling piece that finds Seim creating lonesome whale-like sounds. […] The haunting ‚Elegi‘ closes another inspired release from ECM Records.
Ian Sinclair, Morning Star

Eine traumwandlerische Sammiung von freien Improvisationen und eigenen Stücken, sowie, mit Bedacht ausgewählt, unter die Haut gehende Versionen ferner Folksongs. Mir erscheinen diese schwebend anmutenden Dialoge zeitgenössischen Klageliedern nahe zu kommen, in ihrer mitunter schlicht schmerzhaften Schönheit.
Michael Engelbrecht, Deutschlandfunk

Trygve Seim est le plus doux, le plus attentif des musiciens. Ces huit titres à la beauté crépusculaire et spirituelle ont été enregistrés à Munich, dans l’église de l’Ascension, un lieu qui se prête parfaitement au respect naturel que les deux hommes se vouent. Doux, magnifique!
Yves Tassin, Jazzmania

Tout est matière à laisser filer leurs doigts et leurs idées, au gré de fertiles improvisations qui jamais ne perdent le fragile fil d’une mélodie mais toujours tracent une poésie sonore hors des contingences de l’actualité.
Jacques Denis, Libération

Qui il livello globale del disco, la sua compattezza, è eccellente, il clima estremamente concentrato, a tratti scuro (fisiologicamente soprattutto quando Seim passa al tenore), ne fa gu- stare ogni passaggio con sapienza e quasi complicità, naturalmente salvo che non ci si aspetti da ogni ‘prodotto’ di più o meno diretta emanazione jazzistica che ci fac- cia battere il piede o esprima doti strumentali fuori dal comune.
Alberto Bazzurro, Musica Jazz

Musikken er, som alltid når desse to set kvarandre i stemne, stort sett improvisert. Det kan vera vanskelig å ta inn fordi dei to har utvikla eit uttrykk som i dynamisk forstand og i replikkunst er så å seia formfullenda.
Lars Mossafinn, Dag & Tid

En saksofon og et trekkspill. Vi kan ikke ønske oss mer når det er Trygve Seim og Frode Haltli som spiller sammen.
Geir Rakvaag, Dagsavisen