Record Reviews

TERJE RYPDAL ~ ODYSSEY – IN STUDIO & IN CONCERT ECM 2136/38 (Barcode: 602527945668) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2012 This magnificent Box Set includes, for the first time, the complete content of the seminal album "OdysseyFind albums with this title" recorded by Norwegian guitarist / composer Terje RypdalFind albums by this artist and his quintet and released originally as a double LP (ECM 1067/68). In addition to Rypdal the quintet also included trombonist Torbjorn SundeFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Brynjulf BlixFind albums by this artist, electric bassist Sveinung HovensjoFind albums by this artist and drummer Svein ChristiansenFind albums by this artist. This Box Set also includes a third CD entitled "Unfinished Highballs", with the previously unreleased live recordings by the same group (less the trombonist) accompanied by the Swedish Radio Jazz GroupFind albums by this artist, which incorporated some of the best Swedish Jazz players at the time. "Odyssey" comprises of eight pieces, all composed by Rypdal, the longest of those being over 23 minutes long. "Unfinished Highballs" presents seven additional compositions by Rypdal, which do not appear on "Odyssey". The music of "Odyssey", strongly influenced by the great modern Classical composer György LigetiFind albums by this artist, who composed some of the music included in the soundtrack of the celebrated "2001: A Space Odyssey" movie (hence the connection), combines also many influences from other genres, like Jazz (Miles DavisFind albums by this artist) and Rock (Jimmy HendrixFind albums by this artist). Although it certainly defies known genres, and perhaps defines a genre of its own, in retrospect it is certainly one of the earliest major efforts to create Ambient music, which moves somewhere between contemporary Classical on one hand and Jazz-Rock on another. It is certainly one of the rare cases where the word "unique" in truly and completely justified. In retrospect this music is way ahead of its time, as perhaps only now some music listeners are mature enough and experienced enough (myself included) to appreciate the prophetic nature of this music. Ambient music "happened" only decades later and then most of it was nowhere near the magnificence of this music included herein. Rypdal´s screaming guitar backed by organ and trombone and propelled by the electric rhythm section are a universe of sound, which remains unchallenged. The famous sound of Rypdal´s guitar is best defined by this album, as it can be heard in many different settings, from painting atmospheric soundscapes to soloing furiously on top of a Rocky rhythmic pattern. The legendary "Rolling Stone" piece, which closes the album (and was omitted from the first single CD reissue), is perhaps one of the most remarkable Jazz-Rock anthems ever recorded. The release of "Unfinished Highballs" is a true cherry topping, as it presents a completely new perspective of Rypdal´s music. Although Rypdal was no stranger to the Big Band setting (see for example his recordings with George RussellFind albums by this artist) this time we can hear his music being performed by a Big Band, which is quite another story. The power of a Big Band takes the music to a new territory, which is more Jazzy that the music of "Odyssey", but retains the Rypdal spirit. Rypdal will return to the Big Band only 33 years later, with the recording of "Crime Scene". This is an absolute must for any faithful follower of European Jazz and Jazz-Rock and Jazz-Classical Fusions. This is a milestone recording, which remains as fresh as on the day it was recorded, with most of it still quite futuristic. An absolute gem!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

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