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

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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

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NYPAN ~ STEREOTOMIC LOSEN 168 (Barcode: 7090025831683) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is a live recording by a quartet led by Norwegian guitarist / composer Oyvind NypanFind albums by this artist, with pianist Bernt MoenFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Egil KalmanFind albums by this artist and drummer Ole MofjellFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Nypan. This is Nypan´s fourth album and his second release on the excellent Norwegian LosenFind albums on this label Records. The music is typical guitar focused modern Jazz, which in spite of the fact that the musicians are Scandinavian, sounds very American, both stylistically and aesthetically. The compositions are melody based, but allow relative freedom, which includes some irregular rhythmic patterns and open structure. The melody stays basically well in the background, serving only as a vehicle for the guitar and less often also the piano to play their respective solos. The rhythm section seems to have some difficulties to follow the leader during the complex pieces and stays respectfully way in the background most of the time. When the music enters a Free Improvisation mode, it sort of falls apart. When a quartet plays a slow ballad or a straightforward swinging music, everything works well, but the music becomes corny. Overall, although the participants are all very experienced and skilled musicians, the album lacks coherence and clarity to make it an enjoyable listening experience. Some melodic guitar parts are able to hold water for a while, but at some point the magic is simply lost. Guitar freaks might find this album interesting, at least in part, although it is rather difficult to grasp as a whole. Good intentions that did not pay off this time…Of course only my very personal view.

Updated: 16/05/2017Posted: 16/05/2017

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