Sideways

Album Review

Sideways is another standout ECM release from Norwegian guitarist Jacob Young. Featuring more of Young's atmospheric jazz, the album walks a fine line between melodic, cool-influenced sounds and avant-garde group improvisation. In that sense, Sideways brings to mind some of the work of such classic ECM artists as trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, keyboardist Keith Jarrett, and guitarist Pat Metheny. Joining Young here is a stellar ensemble consisting of such journeyman artists as reedman Vidar Johansen and drummer Jon Christensen, as well as bassist Mats Eilertsen and trumpeter Mathias Eick. Notably, Eick brings an interesting style to the band suggesting a mix of the intimate '70s work of Wheeler; the more epic, Miles-inflected approach of Enrico Rava; and a kind of European folk interpretation of '50s icon Chet Baker. Much like other ECM releases, with its mix of laid-back edginess and ambient, searching improvisations, Sideways works just as well on a cerebral, engaging level as on a background, afterglow level.