The Well

On The Well, Tord Gustavsen leads a quartet through a set of his original compositions. The other members of Gustavsen’s group—saxophonist Tore Brunborg, bassist Mats Eilertsen, and drummer Jarle Vespestad—appeared on 2009’s Restored, Returned, which also included vocalist Kristin Asbjornsen in its lineup. The band’s playing here is nuanced and cohesive, and it’s a delight to hear their tones and hits sensitively rub up against each other. All the tracks move at slow or medium tempos, creating a meditative mood from beginning to end. “Suite” starts with Gustavsen playing in a classical vein before Eilertsen introduces delicately bowed bass. The others join in, intensifying the music. Some of the material here has a spiritual feeling, and it turns out that “Prelude” and “Communion” were written for an Oslo Church Music Festival commission. The gorgeous “Circling” has a gospel-tinged vibe that recalls Keith Jarrett, and on “Inside,” bowed bass, delicate cymbal work, spare piano, and just-so sax combine to create a reflective closer.