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"... Gustavsen's most diverse and satisfying to date ... the inevitable consequence of regular recording and touring with this group of hyper-talented musicians." - All About Jazz "Four Stars ... a delicious collage of hypnotic grooving, softly stroked gospel themes and perhaps more gloves-off jazz piano from the leader than on all five of his previous ECM albums ... seamless Jarrett-like thunder, but there's also plenty of evidence, such as the static yet vibrant Glow, that Gustavsen's persuasive fragility is still intact." - The Guardian "Five Stars ... Gustavsen’s music demands and holds careful attention and transcends the traditional moody plaintiveness of the Nordic jazz tradition, not that those who enjoy all the above will find it in any way alienating. There’s a kind of lateral thinking present in much of the pianist’s work, in which ideas and styles are stated or implied in a kind of bare bones fashion ... that all this happens in the sparse context he favours (and tends to transmit to his sidemen, at least on this disc) is remarkable and compelling. The tunes are nice, too, with the aerated ECM sonics serving the music perfectly." - BBC Music Magazine This sixth ECM album from Tord Gustavsen, recorded in Oslo in June 2013, quietly but most assuredly takes the Norwegian pianist’s music to the next stage of its development. Gustvasen’s quartet with saxophonist Tore Brunborg, double bassist Mats Eilertsen and long-term associate Jarle Vespestad on drums has matured into a group whose interactions draw strength from restraint, patiently building the music toward its climaxes. Extended Circle includes gospel-tinged pieces and ballads written by Gustavsen, gentle and luminescent group improvisations and an ecstatic interpretation of the traditional Norwegian song Eg Veit I Himmerik Ei Borg.