The Tord Gustavsen Quartet's Extended Circle, the acclaimed Norwegian pianist's latest album, is to be released in the UK on 20 January ahead of a London appearance in March. The new album, book-ended by trio pieces, was recorded in Oslo in June this year; and joining Gustavsen once more is the line-up from The Well: tenor saxophonist Tore Brunborg, bassist Mats Eilertsen, and drummer Jarle Vespestad. Tracks are: ‘Right There’; the Norwegian hymn ‘Eg Veit I Himmerik Ei Borg’ (‘I Know A Castle In Heaven’); ‘Entrance’; ‘The Gift’; ‘Staying There’; ‘Silent Spaces’; ‘Entrance, var.’; ‘Devotion’; (an adaption of a piece from a commissioned work for the Nidaros Cathedral Choir); ‘The Embrace’; ‘Bass Transition’; ‘Glow’; and ‘The Prodigal Song’. It's the pianist's sixth album for ECM. The title refers to the completion of what the pianist sees as a “double circle” of trilogies: the first with the trio (Changing Places, The Ground and Being There), and the second adding to the earlier ensemble album Restored, Returned and 2012 quartet record, The Well. This new album features tunes inspired by chorales and spirituals, and also includes the suite-like group-written track 'Entrance'.
Tord Gustavsen, above. Photo: Natalia Borzymowska