I been stressing out for a years, that state of the art recordings will sound great even on budget well balanced system. Many people are shocked when they heard master tapes in person. I was and still am an avid nalogue fan, but with the evolving of digital high-res audio in past few years, we're coming to a substantial change. For better! 2L is one of the companies pushing this further by each year with more then noticeable award winning outcome. Finally digital is morphing into deserved revolution rather then so prolonged evolution...
Matej Isak
Ola Gjeilo PIANO IMPROVISATIONS is a soulful exercise of improvisational skills evoked by the Morten Lindberg passion and sense for an acoustical music and trust in artists under his production.
2L latest release holds a certain warm, lyrical aura, that simply drags you into finer universe of Gjeilo. There is something about northern impact, that precisely addressed my so called safe positive side of melancholy. At moments you're glancing the ethereal waves of lyrical articulation that only Tord Gustavsen could radiate. And instantly you're transported into the lightness and expertise of Keith Jarret improvisational magic. I'm not comparing Ole, just trying to capture the moods he's able to express with such an articulation and sense of movement.
Interplay of 1,2,3 pianos evolves into ethereal controlled escape of Gjeilo. Morten suggested a moving of piano on different locations. I could't enjoy the surround event, but there is still more then enough insightful sense of space even on two channel stereo. 2l release are the quests of music and acoustical spaces. Ola Gjeilo Piano improvisations are no different in this quest. For me the acoustical music with acoustical instruments is still the top reference and THE ONE to be associated with high-end and ultra high end reproduction. This is where you can constantly update you memory with right imprints, that could be called back frequently in the time of reviews and exploring of new gear.
Morten out of the box vision and experimentation with sound places creates an intimate atmospheres where music and performers inner pace touches you in a sublime and unique way. This is were knowledge and heart mesmerizing jointly morph into a lyrical event, that can be revisited at any time thanks to the technology of 21st century. Many felt, that art of recording is dying out in the age of mass digital technology, where everything is at hand and available at once. This release and past 2L catalogue beg to differ in a grand way.
Do not pass this recording. It's an elaborate yet enough direct and primal to address broader audience of both music lovers and audiophiles.
Matej Isak
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