aaamusic | On 14, Mar 2011

Already a highly accomplished, well respected, award-winning artist, Kurt Elling once again showcases his talent with the impeccable new release The Gate. Elling retains the cool beauty of classic jazz whilst bringing it into the modern day with inventive arrangements that create a record utterly oozing in style.

The album consists of a set of covers that Elling inventively deconstructs and reforms to create the smooth sound of classic jazz with a sour dash of contemporary pop, which gives the album an extra je ne sais quoi. Elling’s vocal range is impressive; his suave and seemingly effortless vocals undulate over the instrumentals with a gloriously sensuousness richness. Within his beautiful baritone tones, Elling gives each track a poignancy that fits all manner of mood and emotion. Highlights of the record include Norwegian Wood, a progressive track that unexpectedly moves from smooth, rhythmic jazz to a considerable guitar solo that gives the track another dimension, cutting through conventions and adding an edge to the tune. Nighttown is another great track, perfectly controlled and unremittingly smooth, driven forth by Elling’s rhythmically speaking voice, giving the sense that he is telling a poignant story that you cannot help but be enchanted by.

This is an incredibly accomplished and controlled album; I would go as far as to say that it is technically close to jazz perfection. The album retains enough of the smooth charm of classic jazz and creates enough surprises for it to be considered a great modern release that reaffirms his place as one of the jazz greats of our age.
Author: Alice Cuddy