Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen, an ECM musician for more than fifty years, is a masterful player who has always welcomed a challenge. His first recording with his new quartet – including rising stars Marius Neset and Helge Lien (both bandleaders in their own right) – is almost entirely improvised.

The players make the leap of faith together and find and develop forms in the moment, an object lesson in spontaneous group creativity. Affirmation was recorded in November 2021 at Oslo’s Rainbow Studio.

Arild Andersen: double bass

Marius Neset: tenor saxophone

Helge Lien: piano

Hakon Mjaset Johansen: drums

“World class all-star ensemble. Affirmation, the ensemble’s debut album, is almost entirely the product of spontaneous interaction, often inspired by Andersen, whose contra bass acts as the voice of reason – probing, pushing, suggesting tempo, key centre, and atmosphere.” – **** Jazzwise

“An inspired exercise in improvisational alchemy…Andersen’s spare bass articulations open Affirmation Part 1 unveiling a beguiling sound world of glistering piano, hissing cymbals, eloquent tenor saxophone and Andersen’s atmospheric pedal effects.” – **** The Scotsman

“There is a flow and logic about the music made that shows remarkable empathy within the new quartet. The ability to react intuitively and cohesively is at the heart of the music, as is an inherent sense of lyricism…Andersen’s ‘Short Story’ is a delicately played out piece that serves as glorious finale to a wonderful album.” – Jazz Views