REVIEWS

“…The group is put together well and plays tight and intense. It’s four top musicians that play together for the sound of the group, even if Hans Olding’s guitar and Jussi Kannaste’s tenor stand out and are allowed to stand out. They both stand for brilliant musicianship that is completed by Zelnik and Soirat. This is a debut album. And what debut it is. Just hang on and enjoy great, modern jazz”

  (5/5) Lennart Götesson-Dalademokraten ”

…[The Olding/Kannaste Four] display a brilliant interplay on their debut album…” “…the more I listen the more pleased I get. The record is getting better and better by each track and the high point is reached in the final “Que dois-je faire?” which is superbly delicate, but with a few deviations in the beautiful melody so that you, the listener, won’t feel entirely secure. A must have if you’re into quartet jazz.

  (4/5) Björn Stefansson-Värmlands Folkblad 20/4-07

“…the musical finish, as well individually as collective, is something extraordinary. The Olding/Kannaste consists of four brilliant instrumentalists who individually have a very special ability of taking in their co-players musically. Young Finnish tenor saxophonist Jussi Kannaste combines the softest melodic lyricism with a bluesy attack in original, cliche free phrases. Swedish guitar player Hans Olding has a refined harmonical thinking and a sensible, virtuoso touch in his solos. The frenchmen Yoni Zelnik, double bass, and Philippe Soirat, drums, forms one of the most trimmed together rythm sections one could imagine, with a steady jazz beat in connection with smart, delicate accents. Kannaste and Olding stand for the song material which presents the quartet in shifting arrangements and moods, with the musical curiousity as a guiding star.”

  (4/5) Ulf Gustavsson-UNT 22/6-07

“The Olding/Kannaste Four serve us, with their recognizable and personal debut album, no inane spectacle. With refined compositions, a remarkable teamwork and a not-to-stop drive, they leave their interpretation of the wheel recognizable round and at the same time renewing rapidly rolling. A taste of a debut that deserves succession.”

  (7/10) -Joeri Rogelj, Kwadratuur, Belgium

* * * * *   (5/5) -Rytmi Magazine, Finland

“…When the quartet now debutes on record it’s with a record that sparkles with energy. The songs they play are originals and they are performed with a vitality and power that impress greatly…”

  (4/5) Uno Ohlsson-Norrköpings Tidningar

“The most important thing is a personal sound, sharp ideas and an honesty belonging in our time. The Olding/Kannaste Four posses all this and what I like most is that a guitar based quartet can sound this heavy and modal…”

Tobias Brandt-tobydammitco.blogspot.com 1/4-07

“…they have such an unfailing sense of style. Everything they do sound so well-reasoned, correct - and above all; good.”  “Hans Olding is a master in placing big chords under his saxophone player’s (Jussi Kannaste) excesses. He’s not really playing c-minor, but c-minor with all the overtones included - and behind lies the drums (Philippe Soirat) and  the bass (Yoni Zelnik) who just pushes and pushes the music forward, all the time lengthwise.” “Does the ball hit into the net? Yes, at least in my ears - and the drumming in the opening track “El Diablo” is ending up so definite in the upper corner of the goal, impossible for the goalkeeper to save.”

Arild Rønsen - Jazznytt, Norway