Arne Torvik
references his geographic location in Norway with the title of his debut release on Øra Fonogram, but he’s absorbed an international flavour to his music, expressed in the six original compositions on this recording. Torvik leads a sextet through the set with attractive melodies as a constant thread and plenty of nods to relaxed, funky grooves, overtly rocky beats and more meditative folky moments. (...) This a warm, emotional set from Arne Torvik and his band with fine playing all round. (Mike Collins, http://www.londonjazznews.com, 2017)

Richtig gute Musiker allesamt, zusammen harmonieren sie prächtig. Die Stücke sind gefällig und teilweise ziemlich relaxed, aber nicht einfach oder banal. Da möchte man mit ein paar Freunden im Auto eine norwegische Küstenstraße entlang fahren – zur nächsten Musikhochschule, wo abends Arne Torvik mit seinem Sextett auftritt... (Tim Jonathan Kleinecke, http://nordische-musik.de, 2017)

Torvik's debut album, which was released in Norway last year and is now being promoted outside its borders, is distinguished by a number of things: the high level of musicianship on display; the equally impressive quality of the compositions and arrangements; and finally, the ease with which jazz and pop forms are blended. Without any compromise to the integrity of the material, Torvik threads elements of R&B and melodic pop into many of these compositions, resulting in a highly harmonious fusion that can be soul-stirring. (Ron Schepper, www.textura.org, 2017)

The opening piece «Heart» already sketches clearly where Torvik musical territory is located. Eikrem and Myhre Olsen phrasing quote Garbarek folky-singing lines, Jørgensen Bjarnar guitar suggests shining, angular lines that sound like Metheny in his most country-ish mode, and Torvik piano playing cements the strong, innocent melodic vein. Torvik and his group further variate on similar simple, melodic textures, stressing the leisured yet tight and emphatic interplay. (Eyal Hareuveni, saltpeanuts*,2017)

This is an album where the melodies are as wide as the horizon line and as clear as the sky that frames it. Pianist Arne Torvik keeps things uncomplicated on his new recording Northwestern Sounds, preferring for simple beautiful statements to ring loudly and with clarity (...) One of those albums that, by keeping things simple, keeps the reasons for enjoyment coming. (Dave Sumner, www.birdistheworm.com, 2016)

....Den usedvanlig vakre, melodiske og nærmest popinspirerte musikken er av typen som tar bolig i en - og blir værende (Tor Hammerø i Romsdals Budstikke, 2016)

«Northwestern Sounds» (Øra Fonogram/Musikkoperatørene) er komponisten og pianisten Arne Torviks sterke platedebut denne veka. (...) Ein kraftfull debut er det uansett, og nok eit døme på all den bra jazzen som vert laga i landet vårt. (Roald Helgheim i Dagsavisen om Northwestern Sounds, 2016)

Torvik er en låtsnekrer av meget høy klasse og de fleste låtene her glir lett inn i øregangene allerede ved første gjennomlytt, sjøl om de på ingen måte er lettvinte. (..) Det som imidlertid er helt åpenbart er det melodiske og det nesten popinspirerte - dette er musikk også for musikkelskere langt utenfor jazzmenigheta. (...) Arne Torvik har lagt lista høyt og på et vakkert sted. (Tor Hammerø i Romsdals Budstikke/ Tor de jazz om Northwestern Sounds, 2016)

..for en pretensiøs jazzkritikar kan det groovy åpningssporet Heart fort bli en guilty pleasure (...) men den er som resten av plata, ei silkemjuk, passe melankolsk og tight låt arrangert for et band med ekstremt dyktige musikarar. (Olav Opsvik i Jazznytt om Northwestern Sounds, 2016)