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Compilations are generally considered commercial suicide. For Ozella, however, they've always been an important part of the label's philosophy. Our Sense of Jazz marks the beginning of a new series, personally compiled by founders Dagobert und Christel Böhm. And for the very first time, the possibly most potent force behind the label - jazz - is openly referenced in the title. As unspectacular as this may seem, it does mark an important shift. For many years, after all, diversity was Ozella's hallmark. Its catalogue includes blues- and traditional singer/songwriter albums, chill out and cosmic electronica as well as entries from the world of classical- and world music. The breathtaking success of Helge Lien's breakthrough Hello Troll changed that. Since then, the label has placed a special focus on Nordically tinged jazz, in the process gaining more coherence and unity. Still, as Our Sense of Jazz proves, it has certaintly not lost its ability to surprise. The stylistic scope of the release ranges from Karl Seglem's mysterious folk jazz to the vintage musings of rising Finnish trumpet poet Martti Vesala; from barely two minute short miniatures to epic sound sculptures (Tom Arthur's "One Year Song"); from fresh and unreleased material to a classic track off Hello Troll. Although Norwegian and Finnish artists are expectedly taking center stage, international space jazz trio Inwardness and Azerbaijani duo Sultanov/Sarabski congenially complement the Nordic influence. This diversity is what lends Our Sense of Jazz its rolling rhythm of seamless transitions and natural breaks, its constant oscillation between rhythmically pulsating pieces and beatless passages. Is this still jazz? One thing's for sure: It is a unique and personal sound that Ozella has been defining and refining for almost twenty years.

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