SKYWARDS

Terje Rypdal is well known by his very personal guitar techniques and characteristic sound. And by his quality albums as well. So - even if Skywards is far not his best work, this album is worth listening for sure.

With a team of his most usual collaborators (including great Norwegian trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg), Terje recorded one of the most eclectic album for years. Mixing neo-classical music with some vintage jazz , heavy rocking guitar and plenty of pleasant, a bit new-age-like soundscapes, he produced quite easy listening album, but with high quality standard for all music on it.

To be honest in some moments listening to this album I caught myself that possibly Terje's excurses to easy listening zones are too deep there, but every time the taste with he is doing such excurses saved me from even a traces of disappointment. At best moments, album contains great neoclassical melodies, Mikkelberg's crystal trumpet sound and some free form modern music elements. With few jazzy pieces and aerial ECM label sound.

Not the best place to start, but still good album for Rypdal fans and all tasteful instrumental music lovers.