Gunhild literally grew up surrounded by music as her father Hans formed The Carling Family Band in the 1980’s and they are still very active in the jazz scene today. She is a multi-instrumentalist and singer, and obviously still believes in keeping the family involved as she is joined on this release by her sister Nanna and her daughter Idun. Gunhild is a well-known TV personality in Sweden, although in recent years she moved to America, where she often be found touring and is renowned as someone who can play three trumpets at once (I have seen a photo but still have no idea how she can do that).
This release finds Gunhild providing trombone, trumpet, and vocals and she is joined by Idun Carling (trombone, vocals), Nanna Carling (saxophone), Billy Stritch (piano), Daniel Glass (drums), Steve Doyle (bass) and Jason Bellenkes (saxophone). Apparently, the family band’s speciality is hot, energetic jazz in the 1920’s style, but this album finds us moved ahead in time slightly, as apart from the recording quality this feels like something from the 1940’s mixing cool jazz with ballads which could have come from Berlin. I was somewhat surprised to see that six of the songs are originals, as everything here fits together perfectly, with a feeling of warmth and beauty at all times. The arrangements are sublime, with a real sense of space within. It is unusual to find a female lead singer who is also so comfortable on brass, so Gunhild happily moves from providing lush vocals to a solo. “My Lovin’ Heart” is a fine example, with brushes on the drums, wonderful rippling piano, the rest of the instruments capturing the mood of a smoky room where for a while those listening are transformed away from the horrors of the world to somewhere very different indeed. Her solo is the perfect bridge between her vocals, and listeners are soon transfixed to what they are hearing.
It does all feel very old-fashioned in its approach but that is quite deliberate, and there is no doubt this is very polished and practiced indeed, which is not surprising given how Gunhild has been so heavily immersed in jazz her whole life. This release is a time machine and works incredibly well indeed.
Rating: 8/10
