"Forever Young" features melodically inventive, harmonically sophisticated and rhythmically alert jazz, composed by Norwegian-American guitarist Jacob Young and played by a spirited team of contemporaries. Young and saxophonist Trygve Seim are friends since school days, and have been heard on the Norwegian jazz scene in numerous combinations and contexts over the years. They are joined on this album by the Polish pianist, bassist and drummer widely known as the Marcin Wasilewski Trio, a group with its own 20 years playing history.

On Manu Katché’s third ECM album, released in 2010, the French-African drummer surrounds himself with a fresh group of musicians spearheaded by bassist Pino Palladino who effortlessly reinforces the groove; as a rhythm section Katché and Palladino are truly in synch, having shared much history as session players over the years. Pianist Jason Rebello reveals both delicacy of touch and energy to burn and saxophonist Tore Brunborg solos passionately while guest guitarist Jacob Young shades and colours a handful of pieces and trumpeter Kami Lyle appears on "Flower Skin". Lyle also provides vocals on the country-flavoured "Stay With You" which she co-wrote with Katché.