What makes The Ground by Tord Gustavsen Trio notable?

The Ground received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its innovative approach to jazz that emphasizes mood and atmosphere. The album helped solidify Tord Gustavsen's reputation as a leading figure in contemporary jazz, influencing a wave of European musicians embracing similar soundscapes. Released in early 2005, The Ground is the Tord Gustavsen Trio's second studio album, following their acclaimed debut, Changing Places. By this time, Gustavsen had begun to establish his unique voice in modern jazz, blending Scandinavian folk influences with improvisational jazz techniques.

How many songs are on The Ground?

The Ground has 12 tracks, running approximately 60 minutes.

The Ground

Tord Gustavsen Trio · 2005

60 min · 12 tracks

A meditative blend of jazz harmonies and minimalist textures, exploring emotional landscapes with a serene, contemplative touch.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tears Transforming — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its delicate piano motifs and ethereal ambiance, encapsulating the overall emotional depth of the project.
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Colours of Mercy — With its intricate interplay between piano and bass, this piece showcases the trio's ability to weave complex melodies and subtle rhythms into a cohesive whole.
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The Ground — As the title track, it embodies the essence of the album with its reflective themes and layered instrumentation, culminating in an expansive soundscape.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album's serene atmosphere and minimalist approach create a unique listening experience within modern jazz.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that gradually build in intensity, while the second half shifts to more subdued and reflective pieces.
Each track typically features a minimalist arrangement, with piano leading and subtle interplay from bass and drums.
Several tracks incorporate pauses and silences, creating a spacious feel that invites contemplation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Tears Transforming 5:38
2 Being There 4:17
3 Twins 4:57
4 Curtains Aside 5:15
5 Colours of Mercy 6:09
6 Sentiment 5:35
7 Kneeling Down 5:48
8 Reach Out and Touch It 5:49
9 Edges of Happiness 3:07
10 Interlude 2:03
11 Token of Tango 4:12
12 The Ground 7:16

What to play next

Listen next

Being There

2007

Go back to

Changing Places

2003

Full Tord Gustavsen Trio discography Artists like Tord Gustavsen Trio

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata