Record Reviews

EMMELUTH`S AMOEBA ~ CHIMAERA ORA FONOGRAM 149 (Barcode: 7090015631491) ~ DENMARK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the second album by the quartet called Emmeluth`s AmoebaFind albums by this artist, led by Danish (resident in Oslo) saxophonist Signe EmmeluthFind albums by this artist, with Danish pianist Christian BalvigFind albums by this artist and Norwegian guitarist Karl BjoraFind albums by this artist and drummer Ole MofjellFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. The music is a continuation of the path defined by the debut album, moving between Avant-Garde Improvised Music and contemporary Classical Music, not limited by any convention or genre limitations. Between minimalist intimate moments and dense group improvisations the music covers a wide emotional range and allows various types of interaction between the quartet members. As all Avant-Garde music it is accessible to a relatively limited audience and requires not only open-mindedness and patience, but also some experience with such mode of expressionism, which requires less cerebral and more associative listening approach. Personally this music works for me very well and I had a great time listening to it, as it offers a rich variety of instrumental techniques and interactions, but I am aware of the fact that such modus operandi has a price tag attached to it, while appealing to a selected audience – which is the essence of Avant-Garde after all. Overall this is a bold and uncompromising statement, which takes risks and probes unchartered territories, in short everything one could with for in Avant-Garde music, which works musically and expands the listener´s horizons. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 24/01/2020Posted: 24/01/2020

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

EMMELUTH`S AMOEBA ~ POLYP ORA FONOGRAM 125 (Barcode: 7090015631255) ~ DENMARK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by the quartet called Emmeluth`s AmoebaFind albums by this artist led by Danish saxophonist / composer Signe EmmeluthFind albums by this artist with Danish pianist Christian BalvigFind albums by this artist and Norwegian players: guitarist Karl BjoraFind albums by this artist and drummer Ole MofjellFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, all by the leader. The music is a quirky mixture of compositions and improvisations, floating between Avant-Garde Jazz and contemporary Classical Music, which is challenging, but also highly rewarding to an open-minded listener. There is hardly any melodic content per se and the collective improvisations by the quartet members are the core of the music. Some of the pieces are minimalist and low key, almost contemplative, other are energetic and explosive, and as usual with Avant-Garde Jazz they are unpredictable and often trying. There is an obvious self-control and discipline in charge of the proceedings, preventing the music from becoming chaotic and cacophonic. The individual statements, although often fragmented, are all excellent. Balvig is the biggest surprise here, since his other recordings present him as a very melodic player, and his superb piano parts on this album are anything but melodic. Emmeluth presents a remarkably mature attitude and her playing is unexpectedly developed for her young age. As I often state, Avant-Garde music, especially Jazz, often works very well when played live in front of an audience, but loses its meaning when released on record, which is supposed to be played repeatedly. Only very few recordings belonging to this genre are able to sustain their value in recorded form and this is a good example of such case. It withstands the test of repeated listening, with new vistas being discovered each time. Of course this is music oriented towards a very specific group of listeners, well beyond the mainstream Jazz enthusiasts, but happily there is place for all the manifestations of musical Art these days and musicians who eschew commercialism and compromise, in order to challenge to boundaries are more than welcome. This album is highly recommended for the brave-hearted listeners who love exploration and adventurous attitude towards music.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 11/10/2018

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend