Martin Tingvall - When Light Returns (2021) [Hi-Res]

"And another new piano album" reads Martin Tingvall's website. The Swedish jazz pianist and songwriter presents his fourth album on his own in 2021, "When Light Returns". Most recently, the album "The Rocket" was released in 2019, which reached number one in the German jazz charts, and the longplayer "Dance" together with his trio in 2020.

In 2021, Tingvall is back on the solo trail. Like many of his peers, he composed his new record during the Covid 19 pandemic. Clearly, that experience affected his songwriting

Regarding the process of creation, he explains, "A year ago, the world suddenly seemed to stand still. As if humanity was holding its breath over the initial shock of the pandemic. At the same time, this spring was unusually beautiful in northern Europe. For weeks the sun shone from the sky, the buds of the plants and the insects came earlier than usual after the long Scandinavian winter."

He got this impression when he returned to his home in southern Sweden after a trip to America: "I was out in nature a lot during that time. During this human standstill, the power of nature seemed all the stronger to me - like a sign that wanted to show us humans that we should not give up," says Tingvall.

The 47-year-old then began composing, working on the album with high concentration and focus. The 13 new pieces were created within a few days in March 2020 and were recorded shortly afterwards.

Once again, they show his broad musical spectrum, which has always moved far beyond the boundaries of jazz, be it in the direction of classical, pop or film music. And so on "When Light Returns" he plays seemingly simple-sounding, hauntingly beautiful melodies that at times conjure up associations of classical music, at times reflect his origins in Scandinavian folk music and at the next moment are close to the improvisational freedom of jazz. Martin Tingvall has long since created his own world of sound from various sources of inspiration

How his new album sounds, Martin Tingvall revealed for the first time in May 2021 with the title track. The second single, "Country Road", was already released in June. Both announce a beautiful, positive and optimistic piano album, just like the musician himself: "For me, this album is a symbol of hope. Even when it seems like things won't go on, even after the darkest winter, the light returns in the spring."