In early November, we reported of Som Den Gyldne Sol in RECORD NEWS. Now we have been listening to this record.

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Music History is full of them. I'm talking about synergies - collaborations where the product is so much more than the sum of individual items. Frank Zappa was a master at finding partners the two where such synergies occurred. Two of the most obvious synergies I get on the move is Zappa / Captain Beefheart and Zappa / George Duke. They created music that could never have been created without a fruitful collaboration between two musicil worlds. More obvious synergies are of course those that occur in a wide variety of bands, and in very many cases the main reason for their success.

Regarding the synergy that occurs when Reiersrud and Iver Kleive collaborate, oviously belong in the first-mentioned category, since they both have the majority of their activity at separate venues. Nevertheless, in my view, the most interesting music I've heard of what they have created, is their conmmon record projects with KKV, recorded in Odense Cathedral / Saint Knud's Church.

The first project was way back in 1991, with Blå Koral , followed by Himmelskip in 96. These two records had a uniform character, but perhaps with the difference that I'm tempted to say that the Iver Kleive has a slightly greater dominance in Himmelskip than in Blå Koral. Common to both is that it's old church music, as well as some compositions by Reiersrud.

In Himmelskip they also had Povl Dissing as guest appearance on the track I Al Sin Glans Nu Stråler Solen. This has probably been so fruitful that they later wanted to create an entire CD with Poul Dissing in 2001, Den Signede Dag . This naturally led to a record with somewhat different nature than the previous two albums - Povl Dissing is not the singer who blends in with the wallpaper. Most Norwegians know him from Svantes Lykkelige Dag, the day when the coffee was ready. But he's obviously far more in his CV, and some of the more interesting part is his collaboration with the Danish slightly jazz inspired prog-rock group Burnin `Red Ivanhoe, which had its heyday in the beginning of 70tallet, almost simultaneously with the glory days of the 8 first LP`s to their neighbours Savage Rose.

Som Den Gyldne Sol - the music

After releasing the pure Reiersrud / Kleive disc Nåde over Nåde in 2006, KKV now release the disc Som Den Gyldne Sol , which includes Povl Dissing. And again it is ancient church music as main theme, and the scene is as always Odense Cathedral with its magnificent acoustics and famous organ. It also has in common with Den Signede Dag that there is a couple of Christmas Hymns from the Norwegian main selection - of course the distinctive arrangement and interpretation.

Reiersrud and Iver Kleive have in their collaboration created a special magical musical universe, and this  of course also affects Som Den Gyldne Sol. But as previously it is creates an automatic side-universe when Povl Dissing joins, a universe that is just as unique. It is unnecessary to mention that it would be unthinkable to replace one of these characters with a stand-in in case of sickness absence, at least without the musical universe collapsing. Reiersrud`s guitar style and Kleive`s very specific musical character are essential parts, and with Povl Dissing`s voice, empathy and intensity, the vocal performance becomes a beacon of Scandinavian music history.

Although Som Den Gyldne Sol has no weak elements, there are some songs that stand out. We start with Far Verden, Farvel , which to my ears is the undisputed highlight of this release. And also the bleakest. The text is not written by Anne Cath Vestly - here are very strong words. The powerful bluesy style of Reiersrud provide this, it becomes incredibly strong.

Silent Night is really a bordering unmusical tune composed by Franz Gruber in 1818, but here Reiersrud and Kleive managed to give it a very interesting twist. Perhaps especially Reiersrud, as with almost cheerfully grabbed enter Greek inspired riffs with strong associations with the title song Harry Lime's theme from the film The Third Man.

Krist stod op af døde is also one of the highlights and a powerful rhythmic drive. Here are some myusical elements recognizable from the wonderful interpretation of Kimer i Klokker on Den Signede Dag .

Som Den Gyldne Sol - audio

The sound on all of the five recordings with Reiersrud / Kleive (/ Dissing) has been outstanding. And still stands Som Den Gyldne Sol of the 4 other sonically. But then I also hasten to add that while the four others in my collection are CDs, Som Den Gyldne Sol is playes from a download in 96kHz/24 bits. Due to a somewhat chaotic situation immediately after moving to a new house, I used two different ad-hoc systems as reviewing scenes, consisting of UPnP streaming to Akuraters Linn DS / Linn Kinos / Linn LK100 / Xavian Mia II, and USB streaming to the HRT Music Streamer II / Denon DRA-F102 / Tannoy Mercury M2. It was the former setup that gave the ultimate sound magic. KKV manages masterfully utilizing the acoustics of the cathedral without music in any way get lost in the reverb. This has to do with microphone selection and placement. We are presented with an incredibly precise and transparent sound.

Prior to track Deilig er Jorden we are reminded that Saint Canute's Church has a very urban location in the center of Odense, the sound of an ambulance is penetrating. Also on Himmelskip , there are some places possible to observe the traffic noises in the background. Some record company might have set this as disturbing elements and removed it. I support KKV fully in the choice to leave it alone - it gives a nice perspective of time and place.

KKV has chosen to offer a handful of their production as 24-bit files, and some of these in 96 kHz. I have a strong desire that they shall include backlist with Reiersrud / Kleive (/ Dissing) in this sample. Assuming of course that the master has a similar resolution. Only a small drop of malurt in the end - I would also wish that KKV undertook a comprehensive tagging of the files posted for download. It would make it easier to put them up in a library, as Twonky Media or Asset UPnP.

Som Den Gyldne Sol is a very nice complement to an already stunning bouquet of recordings by this duo and trio. For those of us who are hooked on this musical universe, this record is of course indispensable. And the rest of you can be assured that this is a Christmas album better than anyone.

More information at KKV