What Took You so Long

AlbumApr 13 / 201210 songs, 42m 25s
Jazz ECM Style Jazz

On their second album this most melodic trio continue in the same tradition as on their highly acclaimed debut from 2010, a tradition that implies typically Scandinavian elements such as folk music, melancholia and the deep woods. In that respect it´s fair to say that he belongs to the same tradition as Tord Gustavsen and the late Esbjörn Svensson, even Jan Johanson in some respects, but without really sounding like any of them. But it´s also fair to say that the trio´s less is more approach is in stark contrast to many contemporary piano trios, with shorter tunes and strong focus on melodic content. On ”What Took You So Long” you will find eight new Eriksen compositions and two quite unlikely cover versions. ”Oslo”, the lovely and captivating track that ends the album, was written in the shade of 22nd July and captures both sadness and optimism in a simple and unsentimental way.

7 / 10

What Took You So Long is a reflective instrumental pop album that will get jazz fans excited.

80 %

The Espen Eriksen Trio isn’t as well known as the groups mentioned above.