“Awake Asleep” is a wonderful debut from the Ida Alanen Trio. Highly engaging, quietly intoxicating, and sumptuously imagined. Highly recommended listening.
- Mike Gates
★★★★ Helsingin Sanomat 19.2.2024
- Harri Uusitorppa
★★★★ Kulttuuritoimituksen levykatsaus, 18.12.2023
It is evident that these musicians will be at the forefront of our jazz scene in the future. Alanen creates her music with a modern approach, while being mindful of the traditions of jazz piano. She honors melodic expression and has a deeply poetic style.
- Marita Nyrhinen (translated from Finnish)
I sometimes use the word 'beautiful' a bit too lightly, but if anything, Awake Asleep is a beautiful album. On multiple levels and in various ways. In its company, the mind is at ease, and the album doesn't even slip into background music during everyday activities.
- Mika Roth (translated from Finnish)
Jazz.fun.de - Magazin für Jazz Musik, 27.11.2023
Under the fingers of Ida Alanen, all tones gain tenderness and nobility. And so it is with the entire album. There is a great attention to melody, which is always beautiful or fascinating, and to the details. You can hear the refinement of the entire musical material. All of this makes you want to listen to the album over and over again, which is the best proof of the level and quality of this release. (translated from German)
Minimalism, in a perfect future jazz context, where one can hear the influence of classical music and folk tradition for the talented Finnish pianist Ida Alanen. Her new CD unleashes European jazz, evoking conceptual surprises and delicate impro/jazz sounds. - - - The inspiration of Esbjörn Svensson and Jarrett is evident, while the duality of experimental sound is the main theme of the trio's debut album, Awake Asleep. - Giuseppe Maggioli (translated from Italian)
Ilkka-Pohjalainen, 11.12.2023
The internationally acclaimed pianist Ida Alanen recruited bassist Jonathan Bäckström and drummer Benjamin Nylund to her band, both of whom are enjoying good momentum in jazz circles. Together, the trio crafted a debut album brimming with harmonic beauty. - Juha Seitz (translated from Finnish)
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