Norway is full of musicians with distinctive and powerful voices, and sometimes we must see them from abroad to understand how blessed we are. It is just this way with Helge Lien Trio – being well known in Japan and releasing records on one of the best jazz companies in Germany, says something about their quality and strength. To experience a concert by the band is like hearing three powerhouses moving in the same direction. Strong compositions lie at the base, the music is lyrical, intensely groovy and also humorous, even with long stretch of improvised flow and inspired individual performances. The contrast of classic jazz tradition meets modernism and genre-free thinking. Helge Lien – piano, Frode Berg – bass, Per Oddvar Johansen – drums