Emil Brandqvist Trio - Falling Crystals

thehudsonpost

Review by Hudson Melo

Falling Crystals by Emil Brandqvist Trio: A Jazz Journey That Feels Like Home If you're someone who digs jazz with a touch of Nordic chill and introspection, Falling Crystals is an album that’ll sneak up on your soul. Released in 2016 under Skip Records, this German gem from the Emil Brandqvist Trio isn’t just another jazz record—it’s like opening a window to a world where time slows down, and every note feels deliberate, alive. Let me tell you about two tracks that stuck with me long after the first listen: “The Sea Begins To Freeze” and “A Day In Memories.” These aren’t songs; they’re little emotional landscapes, man. “The Sea Begins To Freeze” hits different. It starts off slow, almost hesitant—like winter creeping into autumn—and then Tuomas Turunen’s piano work comes in, sharp but tender, as if it’s whispering secrets only you can hear. There’s something haunting yet comforting about how the drums (courtesy of Emil himself) gently pulse underneath, like waves frozen mid-motion. By the end, I swear, I felt colder—but also weirdly at peace, like watching snow fall through a window while wrapped in a blanket. It’s one of those pieces that makes you stop whatever you’re doing and just… feel. Then there’s “A Day In Memories,” which plays out like a dreamy stroll through old family photos. The strings—violin, viola, cello—all weave together so beautifully here, thanks to Jenny Sjöström, Märta Eriksson, and Lisa Reuter. They don’t just accompany the melody; they breathe life into it. You can practically smell the nostalgia in the air. And when Emil lets loose on the keys halfway through? Goosebumps. Honestly, it’s not even fair how good this track is. What stands out most about Falling Crystals is its balance. Emil Brandqvist doesn’t try too hard to impress—he lets the music speak for itself. Every instrument, every layer has space to shine without stepping on each other's toes. Credit goes to Åke Linton for recording and mixing this masterpiece because everything sounds crisp, intimate, like you’re sitting right there in the studio with them. And props to Patrick Hespeler for the artwork, too—it matches the vibe perfectly, all frosty blues and whites, like the music was carved straight out of ice. But here’s the thing—I didn’t expect to laugh near the end of writing this review. Because flipping back through the credits, I realized Emil Brandqvist wrote most of these tracks AND played multiple instruments AND produced the damn thing. Dude’s basically a one-man band, minus the goofy hat. Makes me wonder if he ever sleeps or if he just lives inside his own head, crafting these perfect little moments over and over again. So yeah, Falling Crystals might not be flashy or loud, but it’s real. Real enough to make you pause, reflect, maybe even tear up a bit. And honestly? We could all use more music like that in our lives.

Download Emil Brandqvist Trio - Falling Crystals
Artist: Emil Brandqvist Trio
Album: Falling Crystals
Rating: 4.25

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: emil-brandqvist-trio-falling-crystals.zip
  • MP3 size: 73.1 mb
  • FLAC size: 892.5 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
The Oak Trees6:7
The Oak Trees...6:07
Early Spring3:46
Across The Waters4:14
While We Are Here5:5
Across the Waters4:14
Shine3:36
A Day in Memories8:50
Through the Forest3:38
Guds Gröna Ängar4:19
The Sea Begins to Freeze5:54
Crystals4:0
Through The Forest3:38
Soaring3:48
The See Begins To Freeze5:54
A Day In Memories8:50
Longing5:4

Video

Falling Crystals - Emil Brandqvist Trio

Images

télécharger l'album Emil Brandqvist Trio - Falling Crystals
descargar álbum Emil Brandqvist Trio - Falling Crystals
last ned album Emil Brandqvist Trio - Falling Crystals
lataa albumi Emil Brandqvist Trio - Falling Crystals
ladda ner album Emil Brandqvist Trio - Falling Crystals
baixar álbum Emil Brandqvist Trio - Falling Crystals

Catalog Numbers

  • SKP9135-2
  • SKP 9135-2
  • SKL 9135-1

Labels

  • Skip Records
  • Skip Records GmbH

Listen online

  • escuchar en línea
  • online luisteren
  • lyssna på nätet
  • lytte på nettet
  • ascolta in linea
  • ouvir online
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • online anhören
  • écouter en ligne

Formats

  • CD
  • Album
  • Promo
  • Cardboard sleeve
  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Stereo

Credits

RoleCredit
ArtworkPatrick Hespeler
BassMax Thornberg
CelloLisa Reuter
DrumsEmil Brandqvist
PercussionEmil Brandqvist
KeyboardsEmil Brandqvist
ProducerEmil Brandqvist
Mastered ByHans Olsson
Photography BySteven Haberland
PianoTuomas Turunen
CelestaTuomas Turunen
Recorded ByÅke Linton
Mixed ByÅke Linton
ViolaMärta Eriksson
ViolinJenny Sjöström, Linnea Hällqvist
Written-ByEmil Brandqvist (tracks: 1 to 6, 8, 9, 11, 12), Tuomas Turunen (tracks: 7, 10)

Notes

  • Recorded and mixed at Svenska Grammofonstudion, Gothenburg, Sweden, May 14 - 17 and Autumn, 2015 by Åke Linton
  • Mastered at Svenska Grammofonstudion, Gothenburg, Sweden, January 8, 2016 by Hans Olsson
  • Illustration based on photo by Manfred Voss

Barcodes

  • Label Code: LC 10482
  • Barcode: 4 037688 913519
  • Barcode: 4 037688 913526

About Emil Brandqvist Trio

Swedish-Finnish jazz trio

Members

  • Tuomas Turunen
  • Max Thornberg
  • Emil Brandqvist

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: the album *Falling Crystals* by Emil Brandqvist Trio is like a musical patchwork quilt. Released in 2016 in Germany, it blends jazz with touches of classical and ambient sounds. Emil Brandqvist not only played drums, percussion, and keyboards but also produced the whole thing. Fun fact—two tracks were co-written by Tuomas Turunen, who also played piano and celesta. The album even features a string section, including a violinist, violist, and cellist, adding rich layers to its sound. It’s like a cozy yet adventurous journey through music. Oh, and here’s the kicker: some track titles repeat, but they’re actually different versions or reimaginations of the same themes. Neat, right?

Comments

nuestroespacio2930
nuestroespacio2930
2025-03-17
A new source of inspiration...
sdewitt09
sdewitt09
2025-03-16
I'm a huge fan of this trio and I have their other albums.  Can't wait to get my hands on this one too.  I've been through all the samples and it's wonderful.