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Bj: Scorch Trio
ByBacking Björkenheim is one of the hottest rythm sections in jazz today. The Norwegians, bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and drummer Paal Nilssen-Love have recently worked with Mats Gustafsson on the Don Cherry tribute The Thing (Crazy Wisdom), Ken Vandermark’s School Days band (Okka Disc), and backed South African saxophonist Zim Ngqawana on his first two recordings. As displayed here, their energy is apparently unlimited.
Recorded live this past January in Norway with no edits or overdubs, the trio delivers a bold effort. Björkenheim conjures the spirit of Sonny Sharrock’s search and destroy sound on the 13-minute opening track as Nilssen-Love plays at a frenzied pace. From there the pace rarely slows. They hammer through “Taalus” and the odessay of nearly twelve minutes of “XXX.” Björkenheim is in full control of his guitar effects be they the eerie atmospheric ambiance heard on “Vittula” or the James Ulmer blues of “Salaa,” perhaps the highlight of this session. Håker Flaten chants along with his simple bass line throughout “Salaa” as Björkenheim resurrects Coltrane’s “Love Supreme.”
The ‘wow-factor’ of this recording is certainly equaled by its intelligence. Rune Grammofon is distributed by ECM Records.
Track Listing
Oikosulku; Sade; Salaa; Yaajus; XXX; Vittula; Paahtaa.
Personnel
Björk
vocalsRaoul Bj
Album information
Title: Scorch Trio | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Rune Grammofon