The Source and Different Cikadas by Trygve Seim / Oyvind Braekka / Per Oddvar Johansen

03 Jul

Written by Mark Keresman
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Oh, those swingin’ Scandinavians! The Source.... is a journey through the Great White North like almost no other. The three principles compose some of the knottiest, chilliest and imaginatively liveliest music to ever grace an ECM platter. It’s full of dark, pointed avant-swing ("Uten Forbindelse"), fractured tangos into David Lynch’s cinematic territory ("Sen Kjellertango"), free improv that sounds like it could be Bernard Herrmann’s ominous film music ("Tutti Free") and heartbreakingly beautiful slow-waltz elegies ("Mmball"). At times, the ambiance is closer to 20th century classical music than jazz - in fact, a movement Lutoslawski’s String Quartet gets an interpretation here - there are overtones of Alban Berg and K. Penderecki here, as well as the neo-Third Stream of Franz Koglemann. The musicianship is sharp and deeply expressive throughout. Not "easy" music to be sure, but those that enjoy amalgams of jazz, Scandinavian folk melodies and contemporary classical will find a lot to be fascinated by here.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Trygve Seim / Oyvind Braekka / Per Oddvar Johansen
CD Title: The Source and Different Cikadas
Genre: Other
Year Released: 2002
Record Label: ECM
Musicians: T. Seim: tenor & soprano saxes; O. Braekke: trombone; P. O. Johansen: drums; Frode Haltli: accordion; Arve Henriksen: trumpet; Odd & Henrik Hannisdal: violins; others.
Label Website: http://www.ecmrecords.com/usa
Rating: Three Stars