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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MMO ENSEMBLE ~ ANY DAY NOW ORA FONOGRAM 134 (Barcode: 7090015631347) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is the second album by the Norwegian saxophonist / composer Martin Myhre OlsenFind albums by this artist and his MMO EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which is a platform he uses to realize his ambitious large scale projects. On this album the ensemble is expanded to a 12tet and includes besides Olsen also saxophonist Andre RolighetenFind albums by this artist, trombonist Oyvind BraekkeFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Erik Kimestad PedersenFind albums by this artist, vocalist Siril Malmedal HaugeFind albums by this artist, guitarist Karl BjoraFind albums by this artist, pianist Ayumi TanakaFind albums by this artist, violinists Hakon AaseFind albums by this artist and Adrian Loseth WaadeFind albums by this artist, cellist Kaja Fjellberg PettersenFind albums by this artist, bassist Christian Meaas SvendsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Simon Olderskog AlbertsenFind albums by this artist. The album presents a live recording of an eleven-part suite composed by Olsen, which is a Jazz & Poetry endeavor. The album´s title and the titles of the individual tracks derive from a poem by James BaldwinFind albums by this artist and poetry by Emily DickinsonFind albums by this artist and E. E. CummingsFind albums by this artist is used within the suite. The music is mostly composed, based on strongly melodic motifs, but allows space for improvised passages. The large scale ensemble is capable of producing a rich orchestral sound but also fragments of intimate small scale moments and even individual solo statements. The fact that this highly complex music was recorded live as truly astounding. Both the ensemble performances and the individual statements by all the musicians involved are extraordinary. The ensemble spirit, which in a large ensemble like this one is often quite problematic, works here like a charm and the resulting music flows coherently and flawlessly from one piece to the next. But of course it is the musical concept and the compositional ability of Olsen that stands in the center of attention. Olsen talks about bringing the "Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist Spirit" of Jazz composition into the 21st Century, and indeed his compositions are certainly inspired and influenced by Ellington´s works, but the transition into contemporary idioms is entirely his own creation. One might wish to fantasize how the Ellington Orchestra would sound today and listening to this album is of course one way to accomplish this fantasy. This album certainly continues the Ellington tradition of an orchestra based on virtuosi instrumentalists playing complex and intricate arrangements and featuring vocals. But of course one must not take these direct comparisons too far. Overall this is a stunning piece of music, which offers a vast amount of ideas and emotions, which are simply impossible to comprehend by listening to the album just once. With each listening session a true music lover will discover new layers and experience new thrills. It certainly looks like Olson is cementing his position on the large orchestral Jazz scene and if this is his early period, the sky is the limit. This album is a wonderful example of what European Jazz is able to accomplish using its own language. Although this music is not really representative of the Nordic Jazz idiom, the musical atmosphere of freedom, acceptance and open-mindedness among the young local musicians in Norway is pushing the music in the country to explore uncharted territory and make constant progress. This is definitely an exquisite album, which deserves to be heard and studied by all true music connoisseurs around the world. Absolutely and wholeheartedly recommended, and hats off to these young Jazz lions!

Updated: 23/10/2020Posted: 11/10/2018

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