KARIN KROG & FRIENDS - Joy (1968-2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

By 1968, Norwegian jazz singer Karin Krog was already an international star. She had already won her country's most prestigious jazz award, the Buddy, had performed in the U.S. with Claire Fischer and Don Ellis, and had won a Talent Deserving Wider Recognition award in the 1966 Down Beat poll. She had also recorded three albums under her own name by this time. The recording of Joy with then-young lions Arild Andersen on bass, Svein (Jon) Christensen on drums, saxophonist Jan Garbarek, pianist Terje Bjorklund and percussionist Espen Rud signified a change in direction, from her previously straight swing and bop performance method. The set opens provocatively, even shockingly for the time with Annette Peacock's "Mr. Joy," a paean to a personal "toy" driven by Bjorklund's modal piano. The most groundbeaking cut here, "Karin's Song," is an improvisation guided by Garbarek, who had been a member of Krog's band since 1966. A vanguard piece that works on two juxtaposed modes, it features Bjorklund's piano offering thick layers of tonally stretched chords and Krog alternately scatting, growling, and moaning before and after Garbarek's thoroughly outside soloing. One who hears Garbarek's playing here will be shocked that this is the same person whose mannered playing graces so many ECM recordings from the 1970s into the 21st century. Garbarek and Bjorklund are absent on "'Round Midnight." The cut is led by Andersen's bass in duet with Palle Danielsson and accompanied only by Christensen's shimmering brushwork. Krog's singing is bluesy, icy cool, mysterious, and utterly original. The dual bass playing here is astonishing as counterpoint underscores every sung line elongating them in the process. "Maiden Voyage," by Herbie Hancock comes off as a swinging piece of jazz psychedelia with Garbarek doing his best Paul Desmond in the intro and Krog moaning to match his lines tonally, displaying fine control. The tune flows and changes shapes, aided by reverb on the voice while indulging fascination with Eastern modalities. The Garbarek solo is wonderful; alternating between dry, muted coolness and restrained out blowing before the crystalline lines of Bjorklund's piano shimmer through the center. This is a remarkable and timeless record, showcasing Krog's considerable gifts and the acumen of a great group of young jazz players. 
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1 Mr. Joy 7:55
Written-By – A. Peacock, B. Colburn
2 Karin's Mode 8:10
Written-By – Jan Garbarek
3 Round About Midnight 6:05
Written-By – Gonzales, Monk 
4 Maiden Voyage - Lazy Afternoon 9:10
Written-By [Lazy Afternoon] – Moross, Latouche
Written-By [Maiden Voyage] – Hancock
- Bonus Track -
6 Blues Eyes 3:27
Composed By – B. Egerbladh, K.Krog
7 Break Of Day In Molde 2:18
Composed By – C. Bley, K.Krog
Credits :
Bass – Arild Andersen, Palle Danielsson (tracks: 3), Terje Bjørklund (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5)
Drums – Jon Christensen (tracks: 6, 7), Svein Christiansen (tracks: 1 to 5)
Harp – Elisabeth Sønstevold (tracks: 6, 7)
Liner Notes – George Russell
Organ – Berndt Egerbladh (tracks: 6, 7)
Percussion [Rhythm Instruments] – Espen Rud (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5), Karin Krog (tracks: 3)
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Percussion [Rhythm Instruments] – Jan Garbarek (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5)
Trumpet – Ted Curson (tracks: 6, 7)
Voice – Karin Krog
Notes
Tracks 1, 2, 4 and 5 recorded October 2, 1968 in Oslo, Norway.
Track 3 recorded July 6, 1968 at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival, Norway.
Tracks 6, 7 recorded August 4, 1969 in Oslo, Norway.

KARIN KROG & DEXTER GORDON - Some Other Spring, Blues And Ballads (1970-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The talented Norwegian singer Karin Krog sings standards and her own "Blue Eyes" on this enjoyable collaboration with tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon. Krog, a versatile vocalist, sounds perfectly at home on such tunes as "Some Other Spring," "How Insensitive," "Jelly, Jelly," and "Shiny Stockings." Dexter is in excellent form (he had lived in Europe at that point for eight years) and the group is completed by pianist Kenny Drew (who switches to organ on "Blue Eyes"), bassist Niels Pedersen, and drummer Espen Rud. This is one of the most accessible Karin Krog releases around and is recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  
1 Some Other Spring 5:02
Composed By – Hertzog, Wilson
2 Blue Monk 3:57
Composed By – Lincoln, Monk
3 How Insensitive 4:37
Composed By – Jobim, Gimbel
4 Blue Eyes 4:53
Composed By – Egerbladh, Krog
5 Jelly Jelly 4:58
Composed By – Eckstein, Hines
Tribute To Jimmy Scott
6 I Wish I Knew 5:25
Composed By – Warren, Gordon
7 Everybody's Somebody's Fool 4:41
Composed By – Adams, Hampton
8 Shiny Stockings 3:49
Composed By – Foster, Hendricks
9 Ode To Billy Joe 8:20
Composed By – Gentry
10 Some Other Spring (Alternate) 4:27
Composed By – Hertzog, Wilson
11 Blue Monk (Alternate) 4:04
Composed By – Lincoln, Monk
12 Shiny Stockings (Alternate) 6:54
Composed By – Foster, Hendricks
Credits
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Espen Rud
Piano, Organ – Kenny Drew
Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Dexter Gordon
Vocals – Karin Krog

KARIN KROG | TERJE RYPDAL | VIGLEIK STORAAS | JOHN SURMAN — Nordic Quartet (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This ECM CD is only a mixed success. John Surman is the lead voice most of the way and his playing (particularly on baritone and bass clarinet) is typically atmospheric and emotional. However, singer Karin Krog (who is on around half of the songs) only makes an impression on the closing "Wild Bird"; otherwise her long tones sound out of place. Pianist Vigleik Storaas is mostly used in an accompanying role while guitarist Terje Rypdal's feedback-dominated tone is primarily utilized for color. The group never really meshes their disparate voices together and few of the spacey (and sometimes meandering) group originals other than "Wild Bird" are at all memorable. All of the principals have sounded better elsewhere. Scott Yanow

Tracklist  :

1 Traces 7:10
Written-By – Krog, Storaas
2 Unwritten Letter 3:46
Written-By – Surman, Krog
3 Offshore Piper 2:05
Written-By – Surman, Rypdal
4 Gone To The Dogs 3:58
Written-By – Surman
5 Double Tripper 6:16
Written-By – Surman, Rypdal
6 Ved Sørevatn 8:05
Written-By – Rypdal
7 Watching Shadows 5:18
Written-By – Surman, Krog
8 The Illusion 5:55
Written-By – Storaas
9 Wild Bird 7:30
Written-By – Surman, Krog
Credits :
Guitar – Terje Rypdal
Piano – Vigleik Storaas
Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – John Surman
Voice – Karin Krog

KARIN KROG — Raindrops, Raindrops (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Over the years, many different subjects have been debated in the jazz world. One of them has to do with whether or not someone who grows up speaking a language other than English can be an effective jazz vocalist -- some argue that only those who grow up in English-speaking countries should sing jazz. But truth be told, there are plenty of European vocalists who grew up speaking Swedish, German, Italian, Dutch, or French and have no problem singing jazz in excellent English (a language that many Europeans learn to speak fluently at an early age). Although Karin Krog was born in Oslo and grew up in a country where Norwegian is the primary language, she is a shining example of how effectively a Scandinavian vocalist can sing English-language jazz. Raindrops, Raindrops, a best-of CD that spans 1966-1985, paints a consistently attractive picture of Krog's artistry. Assembled by a German label called Crippled Dick Hot Wax, this collection shows Krog to be an adventurous, risk-taking improviser who brings an intriguing variety of influences to the table -- Sheila Jordan, Betty Carter, and Jeanne Lee have affected her work, but so have less abstract vocalists like Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington. Krog favors an inside/outside approach (usually more inside than outside), and the Norwegian improviser is as convincing on Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" as she is on Michel Legrand's "I'll Wait for You" and Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight." The latter is a most pleasant surprise; instead of embracing the famous Bernie Hanighen lyrics, Krog unearths a lesser-known set of lyrics that Babs Gonzales recorded in 1956. Raindrops, Raindrops isn't the last word on Krog's contributions to vocal jazz, but for novices, it would be an excellent starting point. Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1.  Meaning Of Love 5:05
Bass [Electric] – Steve Swallow
Drums, Percussion – Jon Christensen
Keyboards, Composed By – Steve Kuhn
Vocals – Karin Krog
2.  Hold Out Your Hands 2:22
Bass [Electric] – Steve Swallow
Drums, Percussion – Jon Christensen
Keyboards, Composed By – Steve Kuhn
Vocals – Karin Krog
3.  Raindrops, Raindrops 3:44
Bass [Electric] – Steve Swallow
Drums, Percussion – Jon Christensen
Keyboards, Composed By – Steve Kuhn
Vocals – Karin Krog
4.  New Spring 6:50
Composed By – Payne, Martin, Surman
Drums – Stu Martin
Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone By – John Surman
Vocals – Karin Krog
5.  We Could Be Flying 6:02
Bass [Electric] – Steve Swallow
Composed By – Columbier
Drums, Percussion – Jon Christensen
Keyboards – Steve Kuhn
Vocals – Karin Krog
6.  Round About Midnight 6:59
Bass – Arild Andersen
Composed By – Williams, Monk
Vocals – Karin Krog
7.  Maiden Voyage - Lazy Afternoon 9:16
Bass – Arild Andersen
Composed By – Herbie Hancock
Drums – Svein Christensen
Percussion [Rhythm Ins.] – Espen Rud
Piano – Terje Björklund
Tenor Saxophone, Percussion [Rhythm Ins.] – Jan Garbarek
Vocals, Percussion [Rhythm Ins.] – Karin Krog
8.  Time To Go 3:06
Drums, Percussion – Jon Christensen
Electric Bass – Steve Swallow
Keyboards, Written-By – Steve Kuhn
Vocals – Karin Krog
9. I`ll Wait For You 6:43Alto Saxophone, Flute – Per Carsten
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Cello – Erling Christensen
Composed By – Michel Legrand, Gimbel
Drums – Alex Riel
Flute – Bent Larsen
Guitar – Philip Catherine
Harp – Lubov Rubinstein
Oboe – Niels Peters
Percussion – Kasper Vinding
Piano – Ole Koch
Trumpet, Arranged By, Conductor – Palle Mikkelborg
Viola – Finn Ziegler
Violin – Hans Nielsen, Per Walther
Vocals – Karin Krog
10 Karima Two 4:55
Composed By – John Surman, Karin Krog
Synthesizer – John Surman
Vocals, Tambura, Bells – Karin Krog
11 All Of You 5:08
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Composed By – Cole Porter
Drums – Jon Christensen
Piano – Kenny Drew
Tenor Saxophone – Jan Garbarek
Vocals – Karin Krog
12.  Blue Eyes 4:53
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Composed By – Bernt Egerbladh
Drums – Espen Rud
Organ – Kenny Drew
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon
Vocals – Karin Krog