Phil Minton, Ståle Liavik Solberg - TRUE (2025) Hi Res

After having worked together on and off for about ten years British legend Phil Minton and Norwegian stalwart Ståle Liavik Solberg finally went on a duo tour together in November 2023. The music you are now hearing is recorded at Oslo’s long running concert series for improvised music, Blow Out. It shows both musicians on top form where they go from background to foreground, from dense to open, and from melodic to abstract playfulness.

Saxophonist John Butcher says this about the music: Ståle Liavik Solberg plays a uniquely constructed drum kit. Its small scale and carefully chosen ingredients provide a wide sonic range and flexibility which lead naturally to the intimate expression ideal in duo settings. I speak from experience, having valued played with Ståle for more than 10 years. Another long term duo partner of his, and fellow expert in nuance, timing and attention to detail, was the late guitarist John Russell. On TRUE he is joined by the one and only Phil Minton. Spaciousness and intensity somehow join together in a music full of mysterious shapes and unforced interactions. A beautiful, and occasionally alarming, example of the art of the duo.