Sinne Eeg & Jacob Christoffersen - Shikiori
(Stunt Records, 2025)
After releasing 12 recordings as a leader, Danish vocalist Sinne Eeg teams with her longtime pianist Jacob Christoffersen for her first duo recital, Shikiori. The album title derives from the recording location: Shikiori, Japan, on September 16 and 17, 2024. Shikiori—a 150-year-old home in the Japanese countryside—possesses an aura of tradition and reverence that permeates this entire recording. Restored by bassist Seigo Matsunaga and transformed into a concert venue, it proved to be the perfect sanctuary and stage for Eeg and Christoffersen.
Vocalist Sinne Eeg and pianist Jacob Christoffersen have been collaborating for two decades. Surprisingly, though, this is their first duo album. And is exceptional—truly well worth the wait. The musicianship from each is first rate, their chemistry is palpable, the material—a balanced mix of originals and familiar fare—is both highly sophisticated and completely accessible, and the recording quality is excellent.
Vocalist Sinne Eeg reveals her talent for sharply defined expression on this recording, mixing standards and originals with wit and grace. The several covers included begins with an appropriately classy take on Billy Strayhorn’s immortal “Lush Life.” Eeg absolutely owns the lyrics and sentiment(s), Christoffersen has a little space all to his lonesome and meshes beautifully with singer and vehicle, and these fellow Danes move together with an ease that is all too rare.
David Wheat and Bill Loughborough’s waltzing “Better Than Anything” brings greater energy into the picture. That classic gives Eeg a chance to scat to her heart’s delight and finds Christoffersen in the soloist’s zone. Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s “Maria,” beautifully paced and shaped, and offering a slight change in lyrical perspective, has a serious resonance at every turn and at each tender moment. And Annie Lennox’s “Cold,” drawn from the Scottish singer-songwriter’s solo debut, Diva (RCA, 1992), fits this pair well.
Except for a journey through the Gershwin brothers' timeless "But Not for Me," Shikiori features original compositions. Christoffersen and Lisa Freeman’s “A Second Chance at Love” is a master class in controlled storytelling. Eeg’s “Don’t Be So Blue”—the title track from her 2010 album—is balladry with complete commitment. Christoffersen and Helle Hansen’s “Seems Like Yesterday” alludes to a bouncing undercurrent and offers another glimpse at Eeg’s scat strengths. And a second look at the pianist’s “Soba Flower” (sans “Flower” in the title) closes out the program with concord and quietude. The essence of this longstanding partnership—presented with clarity from first note to last—is truly a sound to behold.