Jan Gunnar Hoff Group – Voyage (Losen Records, 2025)
Voyage by Jan Gunnar Hoff Group is a truly fantastic, beautifully-crafted jazz-rock fusion album that brings together four masters of the European progressive jazz scene. The material ranges from calm, elegant pieces to fiery, dazzling jazz-rock.
Jan Gunnar Hoff offers masterful performances on piano and various electronic keyboards. He also weaves interactions with Nguyên Lê’s fabulous guitar, Per Mathisen’s eloquent bass instruments, and Gary Husband’s inventive drumming.
Nguyên Lê is a multifaceted guitarist who can deliver spectacular guitar lines that place him at the very top of the electric guitar world, as well as exquisite Vietnamese music-inspired moments.
Per Mathisen is a regular collaborator in Gunnar Hoff’s recordings, and he excels at electric and acoustic bass. Lastly, Gary Husband is one of the marvels of European contemporary jazz and fusion. Here, he focuses primarily on the drums. However, he is an outstanding keyboardist as well and plays synths on one track.
Jan Gunnar Hoff described the album as the result of a collaborative effort with Nguyên Lê, Gary Husband, and Per Mathisen. The group first performed together at European festivals and venues in 2023. Following several concerts in Norway in January 2024, producer Odd Gjelsnes invited them to record an album in Oslo for his label. The project was conceived as a collection of compositions from all members, intended to establish a cohesive musical framework.
The opening track, “Living,” introduces Nguyên Lê’s distinctive sound and artistic identity, reflecting his Vietnamese musical influences. This aesthetic continues in his composition “Threads of Red Silk.” “Spirit Be,” composed by Gary Husband, features inventive structures that create space for improvisation.
Hoff’s compositions, “Voyage I & II,” are based on a shared musical concept, initially presented in a rubato setting with guitar and piano, and later developed into a full ensemble arrangement with a defined rhythmic progression. “Transatlantic” originated from a synthesizer pattern and evolved into a multi-themed piece with solo sections, evoking a sense of motion and intensity.
“The Fjords” serves as Hoff’s tribute to Norway’s natural environment, emphasizing the importance of preserving fragile landscapes for future generations. “Stone or Gold,” another composition by Nguyên Lê, conveys a world music and uplifting character.
Per Mathisen contributes an arrangement of Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber, featuring a prominent bass introduction followed by an energetic solo section.
“Distant Waters” returns to a more introspective atmosphere, presented as a guitar and piano duet built on improvisation. Gary Husband’s second contribution, “Ancestors,” develops through recurring themes into a large-scale composition, with Husband performing on both drums and keyboards.
The album concludes with Nguyên Lê’s ballad “Seerene,” which emphasizes themes of beauty, sincerity, and hope.
Musicians: Jan Gunnar Hoff on grand piano, keyboards; Nguyên Lê on guitar, synth programming; Per Mathisen on electric and acoustic bass; and Gary Husband on drums, keyboards.
Recorded and mixed by Michael Hartung at Propeller Music Division, Oslo, Norway.
Tracks 2, 8, 12 mixed by Nguyên Lê at Big Rock Studio, Lyon, France.
Produced by Jan Gunnar Hoff, Per Mathisen, Nguyên Lê.
Mastered February 19, 2025, by Morten Lund at Lund’s Lyd, Oslo, Norway.
Cover photo by Kjersti Holst. Cover design by Max Franosch.
Buy Voyage.