Record Reviews

FREYSTEINN GISLASON ~ I ALLAR ATTIR EN SAMT BARA EINA NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 5904224871888) ~ ICELAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the second album by Icelandic Jazz bassist / composer Freysteinn GislasonFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with saxophonist Helgi R. HeidarssonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Hrafnkell Gauti SigurdarsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Oskar KjartanssonFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader. The music is heavy, almost hypnotic dark Jazz, with strong rhythmic pulse and powerful improvisations by the saxophone, which keeps it in the Jazz idiom and guitar, which has strong Rock tendencies. The melodic themes seem to be somewhat secondary in the entire concept, and the total result is highly innovative, striking and interesting. Although there is a very close conversation between the quartet members, the music has a distinct Free Form ambience most of the time, and the openness and associative spirit seem to be in the helm. There is also a Nordic atmosphere on top of everything, which adds to the “strangeness” and uniqueness of the entire project. The individual contributions by the four musicians are totally different: the leader is a pillar of stability, keeping everything on tracks, the drummer is the enfant terrible, with his rhythms wonderfully all over the place, the sax player is the source of calmness whereas the guitarist is the source of mayhem. But somehow it all works perfectly together, with the result being way beyond just the sum of the ingredients. Overall, this is a truly unusual and innovative piece of music, which forces the listener to approach the music with attention and total involvement and keeps him hostage from start to finish. For people who think they have already heard everything, here is something that might change their minds. Hats off Gentlemen!

Updated: 03/04/2023Posted: 03/04/2023

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