Arve Henriksen, Trygve Seim, Anders Jormin, Markku Ounaskari – Arcanum

A jewel of cross-playing, Arcanum takes us back to the formal freedom of Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman, but more often than not in a peaceful, contemplative way. A few more robust flights of fancy ruffle the hair, but they remain the exception. It’s all about gentleness and refinement, intimate listening and whispered commentary, as in “Armon Lapset,” a Finnish folk tune delicately woven by the four musicians. Then there’s “Folkesong,” with its superb lines first on trumpet, then saxophone, supported by a tenuous but almost spidery net of drums and double bass. Elsewhere, the horns can be heard in whispered unison, or the whole ensemble can throw itself fully, but always so elegantly, into collective impros that are refined in form but rich in aesthetic affect. These guys create almost webernian improvisational landscapes that are mesmerizing. Here are four absolute masters, each in his own field, transcending their individuality to enrich an exceptional collective.

Arcanum is a masterpiece of finesse and sophistication without arrogance.

Arve Henriksen, trumpet

Trygve Seim, saxophone

Anders Jormin, double bass

Markku Ounaskari, drums and percussion