Luna Horns: Afro Space Hotel

Listening to Luna Horns' Afro Space Hotel is like stepping into your neighborhood pub and being overwhelmed by the band playing there, with horns blazing like the Jamaica band The Skatalites and a bassist of the Bootsy Collins variety. This is the debut album by Luna Horns, which was formed in 2023 by Tim Lowerson in Oslo, Norway.

The basic tracks were recorded live in the studio, with musicians huddled in a circle; overdubs of solos, percussion, and vocals were added later. Although there are only three horns—Lowerson on soprano sax, Morten Bjørbæk Møller on alto saxophone and flute and Ulf Moen Denneche on trombone—they create the impression of a larger band when playing in unison. Denneche's trombone is more Don Drummond or Rico Rodriguez than J.J. Johnson or Kai Winding, and is often propelling the songs forward. He is more interested in setting the mood for the song than taking a note-heavy solo.

The rhythm section of Gard Langerud on bass and Torbjørn Syversen on drums, who have been playing with each other for years, form a tight alliance, with Langerud laying down melodic grooves over Syversen's strong beats, which give the music that funky almost ska-like sound. Langerud in particular drives the songs, constantly playing melodies rather than just the root notes, and is pleasantly high in the mix.

The songs themselves are exceptional as well—they are fun and compelling as well as melodic and funky simultaneously, like "Cuidaito," which sounds like an off-kilter version of one of Dizzy Gillespie's large bands or maybe a Sun Ra Arkestra offshoot. There is seemingly an African influence as well: The flute playing of Møller on a couple of numbers, especially the title track, has the feel of how South African composer and pianist Abdullah Ibrahim uses the instrument in his songs, and the horns often resemble Ethiopian bandleader Mulatu Astatke arrangements. All in all, this is a pleasurable album to listen to and no doubt they are an exciting band to see live. Afro Space Hotel is well worth booking some time at.

Comments