Bugge Wesseltoft - Moving (2001)

I just rediscovered an album i had forgotten about for a long time. I have to thank Merete for introducing me to this fabulous artist.
Bugge Wesseltoft [Allmusic link] is an Norwegian Nu-Jazz composer and artist, widely considered as one of the best in his genre here in Norway, he has also won acclaim for his albums in Europe. The album Moving features landscapes of music, relaxing and calm with generally straight forward piano/synth parts. In some perspectives the music can be tracked or linked to the works of Pat Metheny (in my opinion), as they generally have the same ideas when it comes to working with long stretches of seamlessly simple arrangements and little change in the melody. although familiar in the ways it is composed, the music on Moving seems a bit more European in trend and sound. Alot of the sounds and arrangements come from the Cafe Del Mar scene in the late 90's and early 00's and could easily be called coffee shop music.

Tracklist:
Change
Gare Du Nord
Yellow is the Colour
Lone
Moving
Heim

My personal favorites are "Yellow is The Colour" and "Lone", but almost all of the melodies and songs have the same qualities and muscicianship. Bugge has gotten help from members of his record company including Håkon Kornstad and "Sidsel Endresen" (which he also has recorded an full album with: Out Here, In There).
If you like music which has a little pump but still manages to be soothing and calming this is the album for you. Also if you are a coffeshop owner you should consider it.

Official website (Bugge Wesseltoft)
Official website of his recordcompany

Porcupine Tree - Signify (1997)

Although not especially old, its still a classic in my book. the album Signify from one of the best band's ever to come out of the British isles is widely considered as one of the best albums ever released in what i like to call "the sub-Pink Floyd genre". In a interview given in 2007 They said this about the album:

"It was an result of a gathering of thougts in the band, we wanted to make something that would outlast us. We wanted a testimony"

And what a testimony it is. Porcupine Tree [allmusic link] is playing with many genres in this amazing album, from jazz, to psychedelic rock to prog. It's all here to enjoy.

Tracklist:
Bornlivedie
Signify
Sleep of no Dreaming
Pagan
Waiting phase One
Waiting phase Two
Sever
Idiot Prayer
Every Home is Wired
Intermediate Jesus
Light Mass Prayer
Dark Matter

Personal favorites on this album is the tracks; "Every Home is Wired", "Sleep of no Dreaming" and "Dark Matter". A great album for anyone who likes Pink Floyd, early Genesis or Prog in general. Porcupine Tree just released a new album which were given good critics, check that one out as well!

Allmusic link to the record
Official website