SUNNA GUNNLAUGS: The Dream
Sunny Sky, 2010

MODERN JAZZ – Icelandic pianist Gunnlaugs leads an ace New York quartet on this highly listenable disc, which is sort of like two CDs in one. The full-length tunes have a warm, joyous lyricism that makes for a light and airy feel, but that’s balanced by short vignettes of moody trio or solo improvisation. Thoughtful music from an intriguing artist.

Sunna Gunnlaugs: piano
Loren Stillman: alto sax
Eivind Opsvik: bass
Scott McLemore: drums

Fo’s Picks: 2, 5, 6, 9, 10

1. 5:43 – gentle tune, spins at a leisurely pace, daydreamy solos
2. 6:31 – midtempo glide, comes from an odd angle. Nice groove and sax solo
3. 1:25 – slow, overlapping chamber-music improvisation; no drums
4. 7:33 – pretty tune, flies in a gentle arc; very nice piano & inquisitive sax
5. 2:11 – solo piano meditation, elegant but unsettled
6. 7:06 – strange and beautiful intro leads to a warm, mellow tune
7. 1:03 – free improv: trio on separate paths, joins at end
8. 6:24 – chewy bass intro; sax & piano unspool over gently bouncing rhythm
9. 1:39 – surrealist landscape with prepared piano, posing sax, low drums
10. 5:36 – moves smoothly with an air of intellectual elegance; fine sax work
11. 1:43 – scattered trio improv: sax/piano/drums all reflect each other hazily
12. 1:14 – slow piano/bass/drums improv, like a soft ballad
13. 2:30 – serene ballad for duo (piano/bass)

[ Fo ] 10/09/10