Sideways

It’s clear that Norwegian guitarist Jacob Young’s quintet has played together for a while. The group is both flexible and precise, the sort of qualities that develop from extensive touring. And they seem to be a democratic unit; even when someone is soloing, there often isn’t the usual sense of lead and accompaniment. The wonderful drumming of Jon Christensen — his cymbal work is extraordinary — is what holds the band together. The other instruments’ sounds seem to spring from his finely woven net of textured percussion. (Bassist Mats Eilertsen is his rhythm section mate.) On a typical track, trumpeter Mathias Eick and tenor saxophonist/bass clarinetist Vidar Johansen team up to play Young’s pleasantly melodic themes. On some tracks, the horn players don’t even solo, but they play a vital role as they lend great expressiveness and detail to their parts. Young, who was first introduced to jazz by his American father and studied with the guitarist Jim Hall, brings a light touch to both his electric and acoustic work.