“The band has been growing or cultivating a certain sound over the years, and I feel this has found its best form so far on ‘Dust Breathing’. This album sort of mirrors ‘States of Mind’, where I wanted to make the band into more of a collaborative group, and to step down from the bandleader role. The members have such strong musical personalities that the only way I had of getting that out of them was to open the gates and just record for days. We did some collaborative songwriting and lots of free improvisations, with the composition done in the post production, editing and mixing process. On ‘Dust Breathing’ I have tried to distil the type of music we created together on ‘States of Mind’, carefully keeping in mind the balance between composing/pre-directing/controlling and letting all band members act as equal contributors.”
Krokofant – Q (2019)
“Norwegian trio Krokofant plays energetic and explosive jazz rock that is both free and structured.
Krokofant consists of Tom Hasslan (guitar), Jørgen Mathisen (saxophone) and Axel Skalstad (drums). They are heavily rooted in the 1970 jazz rock sound, with strong references to King Crimson, early Mahavishnu, John Zorn and Peter Brötzmann. An expression that hits both rock audiences and freejazzers. With a drummer sounding like a turbocharged hybrid of Keith Moon and Elvin Jones, Krokofant plays precise and heavy riffs that are redeemed by jarring and strong improvisations. Long, wild saxophone solos are matched by extremely creative, virtuoso guitar playing, without compromising on interaction and groove.”
Estrada Orchestra – Zucker Tanzclub (2019)
“Formed of vinyl diggers, street musicians and self-taught aficionados, Estrada Orchestra started out as a spontaneous jam band in 2013. Their only intention was to enjoy leisure time and keep an open mind; unknowingly they ended up pioneering the return of jazz-funk in Estonia.”
Paisiel – Paisiel (2018)
“Heterodox and digressive musicians, they move freely between the repetition of krautrock and techno, jazz, experimental music and other new musical categories, João Pais Filipe and Julius Gabriel create radio-graphic sounds that inhabits somewhere between the reception and the emission of a signal, like a cosmic telephone exchange.”
Grand General – Grand General (2013)
“This Norwegian fusion quintet features the same instrumental lineup as Mahavishnu Orchestra, so comparisons to John McLaughlin’s legendary ’70s band are probably inevitable. But on the basis of Grand General’s eponymous 2013 Rune Grammofon debut, such comparisons would merely scratch the surface. The bandmembers have the chops to match any fusioneers past or present, but they’re also fond of the relentless rock pummel, undergirding their pyrotechnics with a powerful rhythm section possessing deep reserves of energy.”
Mogul Thrash – BBC Sessions (1971)
Live recording featuring frenetic jams by English progressive rock band Mogul Thrash.
The Flock - Live In Europe (1973)
Live recording featuring extended jams by American progressive rock band The Flock.
Fläsket Brinner – Fläsket Brinner (1971)
“If one should try and describe the music they play it usually means emphasizing that it is very influenced by jazz, partly because it is instrumental but also because it is based on improvisation… Fläsket Brinner is, with its mixture of rock, jazz and folk music one of the premier representatives of the musically interesting period of prog music – a sound that lasts till today.”
Kanaan – Windborne (2018)
“Oslo based trio Kanaan quickly established themselves as one of the most important groups in the youngest generation of psychedelic impro-rockers. As accomplished players – all three educated in jazz – they marry fiery energy with musical intricacy, and possess a rare ability to balance power and delicateness. They devote as much energy to exploring airiness and atmosphere as they do to intensity.”
Amgala Temple – Invisible Airships (2018)
“Amgala Temple is the sound of three musical forces combined. The result is an overwhelming clash of spontaneity and control, improvisation and clairvoyance – all meshed together in a quest to make something radiant.”