Haftor Medboe - In Perpetuity - Jazzwise

Norwegian born, Scottish based guitarist/composer Haftor Medboe has scored music for film and television productions as well as contemporary dance and theatre projects, and his genre-blurring recording has a distinctly cinematic feel. Lacing electronic Scandinavian "nu jazz" with classical strings and lyrical improvisation, In Perpetuity feels like a set of sound portraits. The meeting between the sinuous strings of the Edinburgh Quartet and Medboe's musical arrangements turn a corner - the gorgeous "Spor" for example is a sophisticated number, almost trip hop in its moodiness. Trombonist Chris Greive is an excellent soloist although the leader shows off his delicate Metheny colours on the melancholic "Hop Skip". Medboe's classical leanings create soundscapes that are alternatively eerie or quirkily romantic. Some work better than others, but at its best, In Perpetuity weaves a delicate web.