Quartet by Mads la Cour’s Almugi

I’m falling. Let me say it straight up. Mads la Cour’s Almugi »Quartet« is an outstanding record. Outstanding because just when you have found the peace and serenity in »Quartet« it lets go of your hand. Slowly and almost unnoticeably – and then you are overturned. Soft, quiet, wild and odd.

Thrown into the heartfelt »Allmogen«, which through its constantly interrupted drive keeps you stuck. Into the sublime »Baba Ganoush«, starting off in a familiar and well-liked tone – and unnoticeably ends up in complexity while still retaining plenty of nerve. Right into the insanely beautiful »Araber« which through its muffled and fast – and very present – trumpet playing showcases Mads la Cour at his best. Falling into the hovering »Emilie«, which is deeply grounded by the driven bass line, while still reaching for the sky with its insisting trumpet playing.

And into »I Jules« – deep, heartfelt and fragile while still retaining lots of crunchiness. Into the far out »Polka«, arising out of nothing and everything, all at the same time to suddenly arrive in a very insisting manner. Very much so. Into the funky »Sir Dance a Lot«, which through its coolness and bass playing pulls you in. And you stumble into »Long John«, where the horns both entangle and detangle themselves.

All nine tracks will overwhelm you. Each in their own way. Lift you up and pull you into the wondrous, honest and intimate world in which Mads la Cour and his Almugi friend reside. You will time travel into the past as well as into the future but most importantly – Mads, Andreas, Kasper and Lars will make sure you are present. Insanely well-played and yet still brave enough to experiment. Brutally honest. Never have I fallen so gracefully, deeply and curiously.
— Morten Lindberg aka Master Fatman

Tracklist

1.	Long John	5:55
2.	Spam	5:06

3.	Allmogen	3:50
4.	Baba Ganoush	4:22

5.	Sir Dance a Lot	8:06
6.	I Jules	4:29
7.	Araber	4:30

8.	Polka	4:53
9.	Emilie	2:23
10.	Quartet (Album Teaser)	6:45

Credits

released May 29, 2015

2015 WhyPlayJazz (RS019)
Learn more at whyplayjazz.de/releases/RS019

Mads la Cour (cor), Lars Greve (bcl, cl), Andreas Lang (b), Kasper Tom Christiansen (dr)

All compositions by Mads la Cour Lützen. Recorded on 2/3 February 2015 by Bjørn Gjessing at Mallorca, Copenhagen, Denmark. Mixed by Bjørn Gjessing. Mastered by John Mayfield, Mayfield Mastering, Nashville, USA. Supported by KODA, DJBFA and the Danish Arts Foundation. Cover photo by Taasinge Local Historical Archive.
Also check out the Mads la Cour’s Almugi »Duo« and »Large Ensemble« releases.

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