Record Reviews

NORVALD DAHL ORGANIC CHAMBER ~ ORGANIC CHAMBER AMP 030 ~ NORWAY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the debut album by the trio called Organic ChamberFind albums by this artist led by Norwegian pianist Norvald DahlFind albums by this artist with American saxophonist Jon IrabagonFind albums by this artist (paying mezzo soprano saxophone) and Norwegian bassist Mats EilertsenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Dahl, two of which were co-composed by Irabagon. The music is a wonderful amalgam of European Avant-Garde Jazz / Improvised Music and contemporary Classical music. Parts of the music are obviously pre-composed, some are even beautifully melodic, but the overall ambiance is mostly improvised. The fact that there is no percussion involved creates a true chamber mood and feel, with lots of breathing space between the notes. In addition to the superb compositions, this album also offers exceptional performances by the trio, full of individual and collective statements of the highest aesthetic and emotional intensity. It is obvious that all three musicians are virtuosi on their respective instruments, but their collective output is even stronger than the sum of their individual statements. This album is a great example of contemporary European Avant-Garde Jazz, which is still inventive, searching and challenging. The idiom is enjoying a surge of Renaissance in the last few years, which continues the glory days of the late 1960s and 1970s, but offers more sophistication and erudition than the spontaneous efforts in the early days. The blend of the Avant-Garde Jazz tradition with European, mostly Classical Avant-Garde legacy seems to be an endless source of inspiration and exploration. This album is a treasure chest of musical gems, which can be discovered anew with each consecutive listening session. Its diversity and richness is exceptional and its delicate non-aggressive expressionism, in contrast to many other Avant-Garde offerings, is a true blessing. Listeners with very little previous experience of Avant-Garde music should be perfectly capable of enjoying this album in full, which is one of its great virtues. In many respects this album is an instant classic, not only within the Avant-Garde idiom, but in every environment where honest and adventurous music can be appreciated and loved. Kudos to AMPFind albums on this label Music label for releasing this gem. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 05/10/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend