What was said

"This album (...) finds [Gustavsen] returning to simple songs with religious roots, and to collaboration with a remarkable singer (...) in the tender-toned German-Afghan Simin Tander ... The set occasionally suggests an early Gustavsen band spliced with Susannah and the Magical Orchestra, and the mixture of the instrumentalists' distilled reflections with Tander's palette of hummed tones, sighing note-bends and pristine inflections represents a beguiling new Gustavsen collaboration".

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"Gustavsen's interest in Sufi poetry and enjoyment of the sound of the Pashto language led to the decision to translate Norwegian hymns into Pashto. Lyrics adapted from the great Persian poet Rumi get the reverse treatment, and are sung in English ... Gustavsen saw this as a way to make connections between these poets, establishing a dialog across centuries. However unorthodox all this cross-translation seems, Tander makes it sound completely natural. Her intimate, lyrical voice is equally at home in both languages, as well as singing wordless vocalise and improvising. Gustavsen still plays the piano as his main instrument, but has augmented it with discreet electronics and occasional synthesizer bass, while Vespestad provides percussive textures or timekeeping as required. So the group is a true trio, not just a vocalist with accompanists ... "What was said" presents a quietly surprising vision of a new kind of musical fusion. It's subtle, and may take a couple of listensbeforethe beauty takes hold".

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"Det er ret beset en lidt sær konstellation, men ikke desto mindre går tingene op i en skøn højere enhed. Ingen sprogbarriere, ingen tonebarriere, blot musik i et sjældent smukt og helstøbt regi".

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