«Nina and the Butterfly Fish’s idiom of kaleidoscopic colors, beautifully distilled, spoke directly to feet and heart and won converts from the first to the last infectious notes of an engaging set.» (AllAboutJazz)
Nina and the Butterfly Fish @ Nutshell 2015
It was a short drive from the Kabuso to the Hardanger Fartoyvernsenter (wooden boat preservation centre) where a hearty fish soup was followed by the second showcase -Nina and the Butterfly Fish.
The venue was an old ferry boat, typical of those that linked the island and fjord districts to the roads in the first half of the twentieth century, in the days before the mighty tunnels burrowed routes through the mountains.
With her fiery mane of red hair and commanding presence, singer/guitarist Nina Kristine Linge cut a dashing figure—like a punkish Joni Mitchell. Dan Peter Sundland—having also made the short journey from Kobus—ploughed funky bass furrows while drummer Hans Hulbaekmo kept infectious, in-the-pocket-grooves. The trio fairly ripped on “Don’t Let Go” and “Come on Sweetheart,” with Linge’s caressing lyricism, punchy poetry and soaring exclamations making a potent brew.
From rootsy folk-pop to danceable rhythms and subtly bluesy rock grooves, the trio’s ability to shift gears suddenly and transform a tune’s vibe was notable. Though Linge’s vocals were a focal point, her peppery guitar punctuations significantly colored the music, infusing the slow-medium tempo tune “What the World Needs” with a seductive West African gait. Southern African bass rhythms underpinned the final number, a jaunty ode to the essence of love.
Nina and the Butterfly Fish’s idiom of kaleidoscopic colors, beautifully distilled, spoke directly to feet and heart and won converts from the first to the last infectious notes of an engaging set.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/nattjazz-2015-by-ian-patterson.php?&pg=4