Balancing somewhere between mountain mystique and free-flowing jazz, Graosido is Knut Kvifte Nesheim’s latest offering, an atmospheric, textured tribute to his roots, memories, and the ever-shifting Norwegian wilderness. Inspired by the titular mountain range, the album reflects Graosido’s weathered presence as seen from Nesheim’s family farm, anchored in the interplay of permanence and change.
The Norwegian jazz orchestra OJKOS, a rotating collective of composers, serves as Nesheim’s canvas here. Each track paints a scene that feels both ancient and current, like mist rising off a fjord at sunrise. With names borrowed from the Voss dialect, the pieces don’t just evoke natural phenomena—they sound like them. From the slow build of opening track “Lønahorgi,” where subtle taps and a rich, swelling melody invite the listener into a vibrant, layered soundscape, to “Taoe,” where flutes drift like mountain air and a curious keyboard dances through introspective terrain, the album stays deeply rooted in place, yet constantly moving.
“Vadlasletta,” the closer, opens with thick, brooding horns before pivoting into a light-footed groove. Nesheim’s drumming listens, rustles, and responds, bringing an organic pulse that keeps the pieces breathing.
Graosido is like a long, contemplative hike through wild terrain with unexpected moments of joy and stillness. Nesheim’s blend of folk, jazz, and improvisation is emotionally grounded while clever. All in all, this is a gorgeous, earthy, and richly detailed album that settles into your bones—quietly, insistently, like the mountain it’s named after. Listen to it on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan