press
Said about MONSTERS:
Lars Mossefinn, Dag & Tid,
december 2017
Highlighted on the "Europe Jazz Media Chart" in December, 2017.
"Mathisen has mastered the difficult second album with superiority"
http://www.europejazz.net/news/europe-jazz-media-chart-december-2017
Ivan Rod, danish music journalist
06.10.2017
"... modern, minimalistic and easier melancholic instrumental jazz with touch of redemptive light.
Again it is clear that Svein Rikard Mathisen, both as a composer and guitarist, is talented. His guitar riffs are compassionate and they are supremely supported by, for example, Erik Kimestad Pedersen's trumpet. The best song is the almost cinematic ballad, Prague, in which the interplay between the guitarist and the trumpet player appears to be optimal."
Petter Wettre, saxophonist extraordinaire
october, 2017
"Svein Rikard Mathisen is not only an excellent guitarist with tasteful improvisational ideas, expressive touch and a balanced sound, he also possesses exquisite compositional qualities.
On his second release, MONSTERS his true ability as a talented songwriter shines through. All of the compositions on this record stands out as a story in itself.
Great contributions from the other band members turns this album into a total blast. This is contemporary jazz of 2017 as good as it gets. Personal favorite; "The Man in the Fridge"
Andy Woltmann, Jazznytt, Norway
winter, 2018
"With a pan-Scandinavian band to back him up, guitarist Svein Rikard Mathisen follows his critically acclaimed album, Copenhagen Diaries, with this treat. Seven exciting compositions that all diverge of history and contemporaryity. Moody taboos that remind us that monsters come in all forms, even the silent ones."
Henrik Langgård, Hamar Arbeiderblad
october, 2017
"Beautiful and emotional. Monsters are one of this autumn's releases that should be listened to"
5/6
Tor Hammerø, Tor De Jazz og Ordentlig Radio
april, 2018
"Mathisen had already found something unique on the debut - which gets a wonderful confirmation with the sequel."
Said about COPENHAGEN DIARIES:
Petter Wettre, saxophonist extraordinaire
january, 2015
«Svein Rikard Mathisen is the next flourishing guitarist coming out of the gradually expanding Norwegian jazz scene. This is truly how jazz is supposed to be interpreted in 2015. 5 stars!»
Tor Hammerø, Tor de Jazz & Ordentlig Radio
23.12.2015
"Svein Rikard Mathisen is a musician we can look forward to be hearing for decades to come - and he most certainly has a lot to offer."
Read the entire article.
Eyal Hareuveni, AllAboutJazz
2016
"His intricately crafted, original compositions flow with fast shifting, inventive ideas that gravitate toward complex harmonic structures. Echoing at times early Pat Metheny and the singing voicing of Ben Monder. A promising debut."
Read the entire article.
Geir Vestad, Hamar Arbeiderblad.
10.12.2015
"Svein Rikard Mathisen appears to be the new significant contributor to contemporary jazz, coming from Hedmark."
Read the entire article.
Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here
08.12.2015
"the harmonies aren't your average chordal juxtapositions but that enhances rather than detracts - they are harmonies and maybe this really is the guy who found the lost chord, and a few more!"
Ivan Rod, danish music journalist
28.01.2016
"Copenhagen Diaries is a record, with a remarkable, strong expression: the music is complex and original in the true sense of the word. It contains some compositional features, some clever chords and unexpected melodic twists, some touching improvisations, some outstanding solos and a sublime compositional interplay"
Peter Bacon, The Jazz Breakfast.
04.01.2016
"A guitarist with a clear, classic jazz tone and remarkable fluency of improvisation.."
"The compositions are, as one might expect, complex both harmonically and rhythmically, but the players sound so comfortable in this tricky territory that it never sounds “difficult”, nor does it every feel self-indulgent. There is a strong melodic line through most of what Mathisen does.."
Jan Granlie, Salt Peanuts.
10.01.2016
"Mathisen is both an outstanding composer and guitarist, and several of the tracks here are of the very best quality.
... the interaction between him and, especially the pianist Larsson, works very well."
Thomas Fryland, danish trumpeter extraordinaire
january, 2015
"Svein Rikard Mathisen shows with this release that he belongs to the top of a new generation of european contemporaries who naturally blend the musical concepts of western classical music with modern, improvised music. It’s Jazz!"