Streif is a quartet from Norway that have produced an album of traditional Scandinavian and Norwegian folk songs infused with a contemporary jazz feel. The songs are warm and inviting; the musicians explore the laid back melodies of Eastern Europe and introduce the listener to a blend of styles that they perform with passion and beauty. Nordic Winter is comprised of nine songs that were recorded in two sessions, the first in 1999 and subsequently in 2003. The use of accordion, mandolin and tarogato (a single reed, clarinet like instrument, that has a sound similar to a soprano saxophone) all lend themselves to creating a European jazz feel.

The musicians in Streif have a solid foundation in classical music, the arrangements on the songs are credited to the band, the songs are layered with many levels of sound, creating interest and as if listening to the varying sections of an orchestra. During the song "Klarinettlat Etter Thomas Luras" the clarinet or clarinet sounding instruments are featured, a joyful ambiance is created, the song has depth with the accordion providing the bass lines, percussion by Birger Mistereggen, that is richly layered and sounding quite nice, cymbals are in support and provide a full sound, and the strings gently come on by way of electric guitar with dazzling effects. The song changes from classical orchestration to rock opera as the guitar lets loose with piercing screams of auditory delight for the next track, "Hjemlandsklokker."

There are songs with Klezmer influences, songs with a jazz-rock fusion feel and songs that are based on folk songs with very modern interpretations. There are songs that are very short, "Den Forste Valsen" come in at just over two minutes, the song acts as a bridge between two of the tracks and features a clarinet solo of enchantment. There are songs that are long, but come off sounding short, such as "Saktmodig Brudemarsj" at just under eight and one half minutes. A touching blues based ballad with slide guitar and beautiful haunting saxophone lines that paint soft pastel tones on a rugged country journey.

The final song of the album Nordic Winter is named "Ballade," at just over nine minutes in length it summarizes the recording well, mixing in most of the styles that Streif likes to explore. The song starts out at a slow tempo with accordion setting out the folkloric melody in Klezmer fashion, the guitar of Mr. Okland kicks into overdrive and screams for attention. Mr. Reiss joins in on clarinet and blows the storm away with melodic lines that are all about repose. The song is over all too soon and leaves you wanting more.