Carsten Meinert Kvartet - To You (1968) [Remastered 2015]

An incredible record from the Danish scene of the late 60s – beautifully spiritual, and a set that we might well place next to our classics from John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders! The album grabs us right away – not just because leader Carsten Meinert begins the record with aversion of Coltrane's "Naima", but also because his tone on tenor is incredibly moving – both bold and fragile at the same time, as he blows tremendously on the tune, then leads the group through these wonderful modal compositions of his own – all building in this round, elliptical energy through the piano of Ole Matthiessen, bass of Henrik Hove, and drums of Ole Streenberg – as Meinert soars over the top with these incredible solos, and this sense of freedom that still holds onto plenty of soul, and which works with a really inherent sense of rhythm. The approach is wonderful – and the players build together in a style that's certainly informed by the work of the Coltrane Quartet of the early 60s, but which definitely comes through in their own voices as well – not a European rehashing of the inspiration of the Great One – but a step forward, using his genius as a platform. Titles include "Naima", "One For Alice", "Blues To Someone", "To You", "Dansevise", and "Before Sunrise". CD also features bonus tracks – "This Time", "To Trane", "The Promise", and a live version of "Dansevise". © 1996-2015, Dusty Groove, Inc.