Fusing spiraling improv-jazz with downtuned
post-Mclaughlin jazz-rock fusion, this Norwegian power-trio plow
through 6 movements of bustling sonics with mind boggling time-signature
shiftage, ultra-precise polyrhythmic micro-drumming and jarring
bass swirls that are in a constant battle to break free from one-another
and launch off into their own respective trajectories. Consisting
of Nilssen-Love, Håker Flaten and Björkenheim, the
highly experienced trio with influences ranging from Zappa and
Hendrix to Coltrane and Eric Dolphy, follow up their acclaimed
albums ‘Scorch Trio’ and ‘Luggumt’ in
a similar vein- through the utilisation of old-school analogue
recordings. The process involves hooking up vintage microphones
and playing live straight to analogue multi-track tape with no
overdubs and editing and then mixing down to quarter inch analogue
tape. This methodology removes the cold, sterile grating sound
typically associated with improv bands and replaces it with a
warm and glowing, almost 70’s-esque aesthetic.
Through utilising skeletal psyche-rock
melodics that exist on the periphery of the bulk sound, the trio
tone down the unforgiving turbulence usually associated with free-jazz
and lock the listener in, whilst (of course) incessantly bombarding
them with collapsing instrumentation and sci-fi electronic skree.
Occasionally they slow things down and morph into an ambient recess
that allows one to gather themselves in preparation for the next
onslaught, an onslaught that builds subtly and intricately from
the roots.
From the subtle Eastern-tinged brushes
and scraps of ‘Basjen’ to the drone-laden, occult
psyche jazz soundscape that adorns the closing sections of ‘Gaba’,
‘Brolt!’ is an impressively varied album that keeps
on pushing the boundaries of fusion. The stomping and angular
military-esque passage found towards the end of ‘Olstra’
shows the trio’s rock influences rise to the fore whilst
adding a refreshing, energy-creating dynamic whilst ‘Hys’
takes these rock influences and puts them through a freak-jazz
blender. The track commences with a fantastically warped and fractured
staccato guitar structure under which a deep-fried, out-of-focus
melody drifts before fusing with clustered percussives and gaining
a heady momentum which will leave space-hippies in cosmic climbs.
It is this finely crafted fusion of rock dynamics into the molten
free-jazz brew where Scorch Trio create their distinctive and
elaborate sound, a sound that swings between tightly clustered,
micro-noodling valleys and cosmic, destructo-jazz peaks, and is
complimented by a clean, focused and cool Norwegian aesthetic.
As always the vinyl version is recommended, but not only to juice
out that extra analogue warmness but also because it contains
4 extra tracks covering 33minutes. (KS)
For fans of: Parson Sound meets Mahavishnu
Orchestra meets Last Exit
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