Asger Thomsen - Den Polyvalente Hjelm (2016)

Asger Thomsen

Tomasz Dąbrowski - trumpet
Henrik Pultz Melbye - tenor saxophone
Jeppe Zeeberg - piano
Asger Thomsen - double bass

Rune Lohse - drums

Den Polyvalente Hjelm 

POLYJUXTA 2016

By Eyal Hareuveni

Danish double bass player Asger Thomsen began his recording career only three years ago but his debut solo album, "Den Polyvalente Hjelm" (since releasing this album Thomsen released this year also the «Solo» cassette on Insula Jazz/Polyjuxta Records), already marks him as a promising leader. Thomsen enjoys the company of some of Copenhagen best, young musicians – trumpeter Tomasz Dąbrowski, tenor sax player Henrik Pultz Melbye, pianist Jeppe Zeeberg and drummer Rune Lohse. "Den Polyvalente Hjelm" is released as limited-edition of 50 vinyls plus download option.

Thomsen’s concise compositions revolves around a simple idea, leaving enough room for personal contributions. The quintet sound as an organic, democratic unit that feels natural in such an open, mostly improvised interplay. Each of the ten pieces suggests different dynamics. Dąbrowski, Zeeberg and Thomsen highlight the lyrical tone of "Bardamu", "Europa", "Und Einzig" and "Laodikea" while "Solaris" flows in a like-minded manner, only this time Lohse improvises freely. "Caligula", "Silko" and "Dieter Roth" are Mingus-ian hard-driving free jazz pieces, stressing the powerful solos of Thomsen and Pultz Melbye.

The last piece, "Cyklus", is the most impressive one. This abstract piece offers an intriguing, lyrical melody. The solemn, reserved interpretation by all the five musicians stresses even more its fragile, mysterious beauty, its depth and rich colors and nuances. A very promising debut.