Exploring the World of Emily: A Journey Through Roger Johansen’s Jazz Masterpiece
If you’re into jazz that feels like a warm hug but still keeps your brain buzzing, World of Emily by Roger Johansen might just be your next obsession. Released in 2007 under Norway’s Inner Ear label, this album is a mix of Contemporary Jazz and Jazz Instrument goodness with a twist—lyrics inspired by none other than Emily Dickinson herself. Yeah, THAT Emily Dickinson. You know, the poet who made dashes cool way before Instagram captions did.
The whole vibe of the album feels like stepping into a cozy cabin somewhere in Norway (which, let’s face it, sounds pretty dreamy). With Marit Sandvik’s vocals floating over Jon Eberson’s guitar and Atle Nymo’s tenor saxophone solos, it’s easy to get lost in this musical world. Oh, and shoutout to Roger Johansen himself—he plays drums AND wrote and arranged everything. Talk about wearing multiple hats!
Now, I gotta say, two tracks stuck with me big time: “Summer Shower” and “Dots on a Disk of Snow.”
“Summer Shower” kicks things off gently, like rain tapping on your windowpane. The bassline from Sondre Meisfjord sneaks up on you—it’s smooth but packs so much soul. And when Marit starts singing? Her voice wraps around the lyrics like a soft blanket. It’s one of those songs where you don’t even realize how deep it got under your skin until it’s over. Plus, the interplay between the sax and guitar gives it a texture that’s kinda hard to describe—it’s jazzy, yes, but also feels like poetry coming alive.
Then there’s “Dots on a Disk of Snow.” This track is hauntingly beautiful, almost like staring at snowflakes melting on cold glass. Atle Nymo’s sax takes center stage here, weaving through the melody like smoke curling upward. It’s not flashy or loud; instead, it pulls you in quietly, making you lean closer as if afraid to miss something important. There’s a moment midway where the rhythm shifts slightly—it’s subtle, but man, it hits different. Like, wow, okay, now we’re talking.
What makes this album stand out isn’t just its technical brilliance (shoutout to Jan Erik Kongshaug and Peer Espen Ursfjord for recording, mixing, and mastering magic), but how personal it feels. Dickinson’s words combined with Johansen’s compositions create something intimate, like flipping through an old journal someone accidentally left behind.
And can we talk about the artwork for a sec? Rune Mortensen nailed the design, and Anders Valde’s photography adds another layer of moodiness to the whole package. It’s all tied together perfectly, like they knew exactly what kind of story they wanted to tell.
So yeah, World of Emily is more than just a jazz album—it’s an experience. Listening to it feels like wandering through a forest of soundscapes, each track leading you somewhere new yet familiar. Honestly, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do. But here I am, humming “Summer Shower” while writing this review. Who would’ve thought poetry and jazz could make such great bedfellows?
Final thought? If Emily Dickinson were alive today, she’d probably dig this album too. Or maybe she’d just write a cryptic poem about it. Either way, check it out—you won’t regret it.
