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Review in "POLITIKEN" – the leading Danish newspaper especially for Arts & Culture, Feb. 22, 2006:
International Symphony
*****
Torben Westergaard: Oktober
(Calibrated CALIO20)
For a Critic, there is nothing more satisfactory than being reassured that you have not misjudged an artistic experience. And especially if it is about an experience which has aroused unrestricted happiness. I have that opportunity now that Bass player Torben Westergaard's band Oktober, which a year ago introduced itself to the public at Copenhagen Jazzhouse, has just released their first CD. Westergaard has previously shown that he is capable of writing good, singable tunes, which at first give a feel of familiarity, but which at the same time draw attention to their original qualities. Such is the case here. But with Oktober, there is more. It is the special mood that the music creates, thanks to the way that Westergaard has allowed Ida Nørholm's cello mix with Anders Banke's bass clarinet and tenor sax, Henrik Gunde's piano, Martin Andersen's drums and Westergaard's own bass and samples the ensemble's foundation), complimented by among others Dutch Hendrik Meurten's harmonica, Italian Francesco Calí's accordion and Jacob Andersen's percussion. Separately the individual voices come beautifully into their own, while at the same time creating a symphonic medley together, which in it's own way makes the music float away under it's own power. During the course of the piece the music can oddly change shape from the trustworthy and accommodating to the disturbing, when Banke's bass clarinet suddenly sends a chill through the air, or when the music threatens to implode. One example is "Enos", where Bossa Nova's painful mix of desire joins forces with a deep blues feeling, accentuated through Andersen's Elvin Jones-like relentlessly advancing drumming. Not to mention pieces such as the graceful "Anna" and "Tromsø", where the Nordic tone shines through.
