Let’s dive into the extraordinary world of Matanzas. Led by Don The Tiger’s deep, expressive voice, we’ll find out how Cuban bolero can smoothly collide with experimental recording techniques, how the spirit of Andalusian processions can coexist with video game music, and how Catalan sardana can morph into a cubist strain of ambient music. We’ll also encounter murderous sharks, doomed relationships, parrots & pirates, and even a fisherman of the disappearing Aral Sea.
Frode Halti – Avant Folk (released on 15th of June 2018) Label: HUBRO, Hubro CD/LP 2604 – JAZZ, Folk, Fussion
Frode Haltlim a musician known to me from very climatic, romantic and heart-warming recordings for the German ECM label, therefore this concept we are talking about took me completely by surprise, and a wonderful one should I add. The title of that recording kind of announces that the Folk we are about to experience differs from the tradition, but still is the one. Norwegian music had always had that potential in its folk tunes which jazz-men found to be very attractive and vastly explored from middle 50’s.
An opening Hug is the best example of that sounding like the cross of classical tunes taken into collective improvisation by an unusual Tercet of the musicians possessing multiple skills. It is joyful and psycho-motoric, showing how and inventive the use of traditional instruments can change the tune which is supposed to be a dance in the past. It still remains as such in its choruses, where it kept its marinist character, somehow possible to feel and point out.
Miraculous trumpet solo by Hildegunn Oiseth is the cherry on the cake here, especially when it goes to conversation with the harmonium in the pitch.
Trio coming after is wonderfully focused. Lamented voice of Hardanger fiddles played by Erlend Apneseth, musician gifted with an incredibly lyrical sensitivity whose music I already learned to love deeply interacts with selected voices which keep changing as it goes and stay in or go out of the tissue depends on the feeling.
Kingo is sounding to me a bit polyphonic with the monotony of the drums beating in the background on which a warm melody is progressing and gaining more and more dynamics with every phrase. From a gentle thrill it grows to a march like pattern on which a quirky slide guitar glitters gently first to expand into a full rave. Following Haltli’s accordion brings it from frogging like chattering in muffled Rumba into full Bolero blossom. Here again Hildegunn Oiseth’s trumpet comes with perfect improvisation implementing some sort of ecstatic Jewish religious element. None of the pieces here is shy neither lacks an invention, but that one is spectacular.
Coming after Gratar’n with its dark, lurk bass and accordion suspense alike melody is in the same time terrifying and terrific. The gentle beauty of it reminds me arrangements which Michael Nyman used to make in his music composed for Peter Greenaway’s movies. The pace and the feeling of the movement there, with dynamics controlled tidy at the same time and dreamy sense of abeyance.
The overall beauty of this recording puts such a spell over the listener that one can hardly believe that it’s already gone once the last tune ends. It is only five of those marvels there and they hardly lasts 40 minutes, but they all make time stop. Your mind will be floating and the sense of time will be all gone.
As an Avant Folk they passed five stars for be the Big Time, just like Lester Bowie’s Avant Pop did some thirty years back. Another time and another Brass Fantasy here, but the same glimpse of genius.
[ October 2018 release from HUBRO – Moon Relay – IMI ]
release: 12.10.18
Drawing on the fractured funk and machine-aesthetic of late Seventies/early Eighties post-punk and No Wave bands, plus the motorik-meets-electro rhythms of ‘Planet Rock’-style hip-hop, the third full album by Oslo-based experimental rock quartet Moon Relay combines pin-sharp, real-time musicianship with a powerful conceptual punch. It’s a world where buzz-saw guitars mesh with disco handclaps on a series of hypnotically immersive instrumental grooves intersected by avant-garde collages of found sound and studio doodles.
[ Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival 2018 – The Full Blast DAY! ]
Coming tomorrow , all day Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival 2018 marathon is looking really good and full of treasures. Those long time recognised, but still not that easy to hear too often, as well as promising new-comers. For the ticket price I call it a steal! Repertoire wise it is absolutely “Carte d’or” for every improvised (and not only) music fan.
[ Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival 2018 – T.Riley & G.Riley DUO set review ]
Second Act of the ongoing Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival 2018 are two evenings reserved exclusively for Terry Riley and Gyan Riley, taking place at St. Luke’s Church, a lovely venue with a promising acoustics. I attended first of the two gigs on evening the 7th of October. Both shows had been sold out in just few days in an April, when 1st time advertised. Let’s jump to the substance then.
[ Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival 2018 – Terry Riley’s two sets ]
Probably the greatest attraction of this year festival and unquestioned Mega Star is Terry Riley. Two out of Four only concerts in the UK are taking place here in Brighton in St.Luke’s church, one more in Bristol and one in Manchester. Needles to say it only took two days in April to get it Sold Out.
[ October 2018 release from HUBRO – Geir Sundstøl – Brødløs ]
release: 5.10.18
Ambient goes country and David Bowie and Brian Eno share a tune with John Coltrane in slide guitar maestro Geir Sundstol’s astonishing cinematic travelogue. This How this new recording from HUBRO can be briefly described. To learn more about it, continue reading below:
[Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival 2018 starts today !]
Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival present the 2018 edition. The festival’s opening night on Thursday October 4th takes place at The Verdict Jazz Cub. Headlining is UK improvisation pioneer, saxophonist Trevor Watts and long-time associate Veryan Weston on keyboards and electronics, presenting their Quantum Illusion project. What a start !
[ September the 28th Traumton release: FABIANA STRIFFLER – Sweet And So Solitary ]
Release Date: 28.09.2018
„When Fabiana Striffler takes bow in hand, a magical process begins.“
(Greg Cohen)
[ September 2018 release from HUBRO – Møster – States Of Minds ]
It is a 4th Scene of The Møster band under that squad , hard to be precise about order if taking on the account all acts from the past , as Kjetil Traavik Møster might be not that old all together, but his output is already massive and seriously impressive, given all inspirations.