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