Jonas Knutsson + Johan Norberg - Cow Cow Norrland II

jjavierdiaz

Review by J. Javier Díaz

Cow Cow Norrland II: A Contemporary Jazz Gem That Stays With You Alright, let’s talk about Cow Cow Norrland II by Jonas Knutsson and Johan Norberg. Released in 2005 under the German label ACT, this album is a smooth ride through contemporary jazz that feels like stepping into a cozy cabin with crackling firewood—warm but kinda mysterious at the same time. The duo brings together saxophone (Jonas) and acoustic guitar/kantele magic (Johan), creating soundscapes that are both earthy and ethereal. It’s not your typical jazz record; it’s got personality. The tracklist itself sounds like a map of some faraway Nordic village, which makes sense given the Scandinavian vibe here. But I’ll zoom in on two tracks that really stuck with me: "Polska Efter Gustav Persson" and "Frostkåge." First up, "Polska Efter Gustav Persson." This one opens with Johan’s delicate fingerpicking on the guitar—it’s hypnotic, almost meditative. Then Jonas comes in with his saxophone, weaving these soft, melodic lines that feel like they’re dancing around you. There’s something so intimate about how these two play off each other, like an unspoken conversation between old friends. And yeah, maybe it’s just me, but there’s a bittersweetness to this tune that hits different when you’re sipping coffee on a rainy afternoon. You don’t forget stuff like that. Then there’s "Frostkåge," which feels like its own little world. The kantele adds this shimmering texture that gives the whole thing a dreamlike quality. Like, imagine walking through a frost-covered forest where everything sparkles but also feels kinda fragile. Johan’s production skills shine here—he knows exactly how to layer sounds without overcrowding them. Meanwhile, Jonas’ saxophone floats above it all, adding warmth to what could’ve been a cold, distant piece. Honestly, this track feels cinematic, like it should be playing while someone has a quiet moment of realization in a movie. What stands out most about this album is how organic it feels. Everything—from the recording process handled by Johan himself to Klaus Scheuermann’s mastering—is polished yet raw enough to keep things real. You can tell these guys weren’t trying too hard; they just let the music breathe. Here’s the kicker though: listening to Cow Cow Norrland II, I couldn’t help but think how rare it is for jazz albums to make you want to slow down instead of speed up. Most records nowadays are all about high energy or complex solos, but this? This is comfort food for your ears. It reminds you that sometimes less is more—and that’s saying something coming from someone who usually jams to louder genres. Oh, and random thought: if this album was a person, it’d probably wear flannel shirts and drink herbal tea. Just saying.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: jonas-knutsson-johan-norberg-cow-cow-norrland-ii.zip
  • MP3 size: 68.6 mb
  • FLAC size: 446.6 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Myrheden5:14
April April3:18
Jämtpelle4:01
Polska Efter Jon-Marsen2:08
Ruovddetjarvva3:57
Frostkåge1:56
Ensamheten5:05
Vahca2:59
Blåis1:16
Sand4:43
Klappmark6:46
Byske5:22
Polska Efter Gustav Persson3:07
Yttervik4:58

Images

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Catalog Numbers

ACT 9425-2

Labels

ACT

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Formats

  • CD
  • Album

Companies

RoleCompany
Recorded AtKrubaston Studio
Mixed AtKrubaston Studio

Credits

RoleCredit
Acoustic GuitarJohan Norberg
KanteleJohan Norberg
Recorded ByJohan Norberg
Mixed ByJohan Norberg
Mastered ByKlaus Scheuermann
ProducerJohan Norberg, Jonas Knutsson
SaxophoneJonas Knutsson

Notes

Recorded and Mixed by Johan Norberg at Studio Krubaston in April 2005

Barcodes

Barcode: 614427942524

About Jonas Knutsson + Johan Norberg

Swedish sopranino, soprano, alto and baritone saxophonist, composer and educator, born June 26, 1965 in Umeå. He is a jazz and folk musician inspired by jazz, Scandinavian folk singers and violinists, yoik, West African, North and South Indian classical music (carnatic music).

Name Vars

  • J Knutsson
  • J. Knutsson
  • J. Knuttson
  • Knutsson

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool fact: The album *Cow Cow Norrland II* by Jonas Knutsson and Johan Norberg is like a musical journey through Scandinavia. It blends jazz with traditional Nordic sounds, thanks to instruments like the kantele, a Finnish string instrument. What’s wild is that Johan Norberg not only played the music but also recorded, mixed, and produced the whole album himself. Talk about multitasking! Plus, it came out in 2005 under the German label ACT, showing how jazz can cross borders and mix cultures in unexpected ways.