Acoustic trumpet, piano, drums, bass, quartet with open, warm innovative music.

A Norwegian band with a Japanese pianist, recording an album in the Spanish countryside, mixing American jazz and European art music with a touch of Latin - this quartet certainly lives up to its name! Generally used to describe cross-bred animals, particularly dogs, the word 'mongrel' is often not a compliment. However, despite their rugged appearance, mongrels are often mild and caring creatures, full of personality and quick to become family favourites (speaking
from experience!). The mixing of genres characterizes many creative
bands on the Norwegian music scene. With established genres so fully explored and virtuosity almost commonplace, today's challenge is to combine existing influences in an original way (or maybe this has always been the case). Add
your own personal voice and the courage not to hide your imperfections and you just might be on to something original. Thick as Thieves is Mongrel's second album but the first featuring Ayumi Tanaka on piano. The recording spanned three days at Studio Barxeta, set among oranges and clementines near Valencia, Spain. The album's opener, Strömningar, was the session's very first take, establishing the calm but energetic mood the band had envisioned. It also provides a good example of Mongrel's compositional method: a written framework with spaces left for spontaneous contributions and ideas. The album's title tune Thick as Thieves was written by trumpeter Thomas Litleskare as a homage to long-lasting friendship - but could also describe the close teamwork and interaction within the band itself. Offering a set of 9 subtle miniatures, mostly painted in minor, this album is a step up from Mongrel's previous work and a very promising example of what these four musicians have to offer.

Track Listing

• Strömningar
• BakgÃ¥rden
• Kongen av Kamper Bas
• Una
• The Gist Of It
• Vincent
• Søvndrukken
• Quinn
• Thick As Thieves

Additional Details

Label: Losen Records

Genre: Jazz

Language: English

Run Time: 39:00 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 09/09/16

UPC: 7090025831485