Bebé K’awiil
Apollon, 2024
8/10
A listen steeped in Afro-Cuban jazz and Nordic ideas, Gaute Storsve and company flesh out 6 exciting and worldly tracks here.
The title track starts the listen with much warmth, where soothing guitar and flowing brass is met with skilled drumming, and “Oración a Ixchel” follows with Patricia Morales’ gorgeous voice that suits the intimate mood.
“Kinich” and “Itzamna” land in the middle, where the former finds a dreamy place to reside via the shimmering guitar, while the latter builds into a rich and dynamic album highlight via the animated drums, soaring brass and fluid percussion.
“Ixchel” exits the listen, and uses the radiant flute with much care, where the timeless jazz qualities unfold with a cozy, charming appeal.
Storsve handles guitars, and in addition to Morales on vocals, in attendance are Ingrid Berg Mehus (violin), Jørgen Mathisen (saxophones), Petter Barg (bass), Angel Terry Domech (percussion), and Vetle Adrian Larsen (drums). Together, they create a cultured, textured and exciting meshing of Latin and Nordic sensibilities that will always be relevant.