Here’s some fantastic music with an agenda, or more exactly, an entire program of action. Since the days of the researches developed by the likes of Globe Unity Orchestra and Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath the challenge remains the same: how to make a big band improvise without the restraints usually applied when there’s the idea that a large ensemble needs a tight organization? In the mentioned cases the musicians involved were free improvisers wanting to establish some kind of order through scores, structures, arrangements and / or conduction. This time, the point of departure is the inverse one: how to make a conventional jazz orchestra, usually working inside very defined parameters, to open its perspectives and be more spontaneous? Norway’s Scheen Jazzorkester has six records behind them with more structured and arranged music, with the particularity of only using compositional materials by their own members. The last one, “Commuter Report”, had a commissioned piece by keyboardist Eyolf Dale, known from the projects Albatrosh and Wolf Valley. Now it’s the co-founder of the free-form bands Cortex and Friends & Neighbors who takes the lead in this new step documented in “As We See It…”: the music he wrote had from the start the intention to be reconverted by the orchestral interpretations, with instructions clear enough for musicians who aren’t used to the particularities of free jazz and free improvisation. The final result is astonishing, with everybody’s personal expressions being fundamental in the mix. Music liberation has a new victory.
credits
released May 24, 2019
André Kassen - soprano and tenor sax (solo tracks 2, 4)
Guttorm Guttormsen - alto sax, flute and clarinet (solo tracks 1, 6)
Jon Øystein Rosland - tenor sax (solo track 5)
Line Bjørnør Rosland - bass clarinet
Finn Arne Dahl Hanssen - trumpet
Thomas Johansson - trumpet (solo tracks 1, 3, 6)
Magne Rutle - trombone (solo track 6)
Frøydis Aslesen - trombone
Åsgeir Grong - bass trombone
Even Helte Hermansen - guitars (solo track 1, 4)
Rune Klakegg - piano (solo track 3)
Jan Olav Renvåg - bass and tuba (solo track 5)
Dag Erik Knedal Andersen - drums (solo track 4)
All compositions by Thomas Johansson (TONO)
Recorded by Dag Erik Johansen & Kai Andersen at Athletic Sound January 2019 | Mixed by Ingar Hunskaar February 2019 | Mastered by Fridtjof Lindeman at Strype Audio February 2019
Produced by André Roligheten and SJO | Executive production by Pedro Costa for Trem Azul | Inlay photo by Sigurd Ytre-Arne | Design by Travassos | Liner notes by Peter Margasak
Any new album by In Order To Survive is a gift that keeps giving. This is no exception, as they continue their rejuvenated run of recordings. Shapeshifter has the clarity of the studio setting merged with the passion of the live setting and stands tall alongside their classics. tachymètre
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