Helen Eriksen - Small Hall Classic

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Review by Giovanni Mattera

Album Review: Small Hall Classic by Helen Eriksen – A Genre-Bending Journey Through Sound Released in 2006 on New Records, Small Hall Classic is a gem from Norwegian artist Helen Eriksen that seamlessly blends Pop/Rock, Jazz, and Electronic influences with styles like Acid Jazz, Downtempo, and Trip Hop. This isn’t just an album—it’s an experience, crafted meticulously by Eriksen herself, who wears multiple hats as the writer, arranger, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. Backed by a stellar team (shoutout to producer The Sensible Twins and mastering guru Espen Berg), this record feels both intimate and expansive. One track that sticks out immediately is “Miles Davis.” Yeah, you read that right—the title alone hints at its audacity. It doesn’t try to mimic the legendary trumpeter but instead channels his spirit through lush saxophone lines, smoky downtempo beats, and Eriksen’s sultry vocals. Listening to it feels like walking into a dimly lit jazz club where time slows down just enough for you to breathe. What makes it unforgettable? Maybe it’s how the synths swirl around like cigarette smoke or how the bassline—courtesy of Kato Ådland—keeps things grounded yet groovy. Either way, it's one of those songs that lingers long after the last note fades. Another standout is “Tanya’s Tambourine” (yes, there are two versions listed, but let’s focus on the first). Don’t let the quirky name fool you; this tune has serious depth. Built around crisp percussion and dreamy electronic textures, it’s the kind of song that makes your shoulders twitch involuntarily. There’s something hypnotic about the way Eriksen layers her clarinet melodies over chilled-out rhythms—it’s playful yet introspective, like watching sunlight dance across water while lost in thought. And hey, props to Tarald Tvedten for keeping the drumwork tight and understated. What strikes me most about Small Hall Classic is how unapologetically eclectic it feels. From the brassy swagger of “Blizzard Hunt” to the moody vibes of “Cold, Crisp and Comfortable,” every track offers something new without losing cohesion. You can tell Eriksen poured her soul into this project—heck, she even played tambourine AND organ! That level of dedication shines through, making the album feel personal despite its polished production. If I had to nitpick, some tracks could’ve been trimmed slightly to keep the pacing sharp. But honestly? That’s splitting hairs. By the time you hit repeat, you’ll realize this album works best when listened to as a whole—a sonic journey rather than a collection of singles. Here’s the unexpected part: For all its genre-hopping brilliance, Small Hall Classic reminds me of a lazy Sunday afternoon spent indoors, staring out the window at rain-soaked streets. It’s comforting, unpredictable, and oddly familiar—all at once. If that’s not worth adding to your playlist, I don’t know what is.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: helen-eriksen-small-hall-classic.zip
  • MP3 size: 54 mb
  • FLAC size: 559.5 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Cold, Crips And Comfortable
Cold, Crisp and Comfortable03:27
Miles Davis
Walk to the City05:16
Mountain Girl
Tanya`S Tambourine04:29
Driving out of Town03:07
San Fransisco
Walk To The City
Tainted Deja Vu
Driving Out Of Town
Million
Tanya's Tambourin
Working Man Sensuality
Blizzard Hunt

Video

Helen Eriksen Miles Davis

Images

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Catalog Numbers

NRC 009

Labels

New Records

Listen online

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  • lyssna på nätet
  • lytte på nettet
  • ouvir online
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • escuchar en línea
  • online luisteren
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  • online anhören

Formats

CD

Companies

RoleCompany
Recorded AtGjøa Studio
Mixed AtTee Studios
Mastered AtLivingroom Studios

Credits

RoleCredit
BassKato Ådland
GuitarKato Ådland
DesignFredrik Saroea, Tom Mæland
DrumsTarald Tvedten
EngineerKato Ådland
Mastered ByEspen Berg
Mixed ByTommy Tee
ProducerThe Sensible Twins
SaxophoneHelen Eriksen
VocalsHelen Eriksen
SynthesizerHelen Eriksen
ClarinetHelen Eriksen
PianoHelen Eriksen
OrganHelen Eriksen
TambourineHelen Eriksen
Written ByHelen Eriksen
Arranged ByHelen Eriksen

Notes

  • Recorded at Gjøa Studio, Bergen.
  • Mixed at Tee Studio.
  • Mastered at Living Room, Oslo.
  • Digipak

Barcodes

Barcode: 7090006520131

About Helen Eriksen

Real Name

    • Helén Eriksen

Name Vars

  • H. Eriksen
  • Helen Eriksen
  • Helene Eriksen
  • Helèn Eriksen

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: Helen Eriksen, the mastermind behind *Small Hall Classic*, is not just a singer but also plays nearly every instrument on the album. From saxophone and clarinet to piano and even tambourine, she truly wears multiple hats. The album blends genres like jazz, electronic, and pop/rock—think acid jazz vibes meets downtempo chill. Released in 2006 under Norway's New Records label, it features standout tracks like "Miles Davis" (a nod to the legendary musician) and "Tanya's Tambourine." What makes it even cooler? She wrote, arranged, and produced much of the music herself, with help from talented collaborators like Kato Ådland on bass and guitar. It’s a one-woman powerhouse project with a unique Nordic touch!

Comments

tylerblu2002
tylerblu2002
2025-03-14
This is a cool video, and fine jazz...keep on playing
karlatoxtle
karlatoxtle
2025-03-14
perfect!!!
alexirvingblog
alexirvingblog
2025-03-14
fantastic video -great song good job!
jinsoob93
jinsoob93
2025-03-14
Abdullah Ibrahim

Woody Herman

Sonny Stitt

Ben Webster

Charles Mingus

Bud Freeman

Johnny Hodges

Art Blakey

Mahalia Jackson

Lionel Hampton

Don Byas

Bessie Smith

Johnny Griffin

Duke Ellington

Chet Baker

Dizzy Gillespie

McCoy Tyner

Herbie Hancock

Bud Powell

Pharoah Sanders

Billie Holiday

Roy Haynes

Cannonball Adderley

Zoot Sims

Shorter Wayne

Eric Dolphy & Dewey Redman

Sonny Rollins

Fats Waller

Django Reinhardt

George Russell

Lee Konitz

Coleman Hawkins

Ma Rainey

Miles Davis

Charlie Parker

Lester Young

John Coltrane

Clifford Brown

Bill Evans

Wes Montgomery

Thelonious Monk

Charlie Christian

Dexter Gordon

Ornette Coleman

Louis Armstrong

Elvin Jones

Count Basie

Jackie McLean

Joe Pass

Max Roach

Sarah Vaughan
discreetigerr
discreetigerr
2025-03-14
great song from great album
omniss
omniss
2025-03-13
Yahoo! you are good maistro; and keep holding Bee bob; still alive!