Marius Neset: Cabaret

Norwegian saxophonist and composer Marius Neset first captured the imagination with his 2011 album Golden Xplosion (Edition, 2011). Since then, his creative impetus has seen him release numerous albums, write pieces for large ensembles including the London Sinfonietta and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, collaborate with classical pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and fulfill a busy touring schedule, winning multiple awards along the way.

In 2022, he formed a quintet and released Happy (Act Music). The quintet featured one of the finest rhythmic combinations in Europe in Conor Chaplin on electric bass and Neset's long-time associate, Swedish drummer Anton Eger. In addition, the group utilizes two keyboard specialists: pianist Magnus Hjorth and Elliot Galvin on keyboards. Having honed their craft on the road, the same lineup isolated themselves in a studio on Norway's coast to produce Cabaret. An album Neset says "is a story about my life in music—a friendship between five people who love to play and be creative together."

Neset finds the perfect match for his potent imagination and streams of energy in the fun and spirit of the cabaret. The title track stumbles along with seemingly unconnected fragments before bursting into a joyous fanfare adding snippets of later tracks to create an album in miniature. The crazy and compelling mood continues in "Hyp3rsonic Cabar3t" as Neset's sax takes flight over fusion-style keyboard surges. Chaplin and Eger navigate the 33-beat cycle, building the track to a crescendo. A slower tempo is offered by "Song For Maya" before the piece moves into soft-soul territory with Hjorth's classy piano and a soaring solo from Neset.

It is best to expect the unexpected with this fast-moving album. The songs overflow with musical ideas, shifting rhythms, rich contrasts and an unmistakable, impish sense of humor. "The Ocean" opens with mysterious sax phrases before evolving into a driving beat. Galvin's pulsing keyboards keep the mystery as piano and alto sax combine before Neset builds the track to an anthemic conclusion. This contrasts with the buoyant "Midsummer Beats," the rhythms of "Quantum Dance" and the groove of "Forgotten Ballet."

The album concludes with "Wedding In Geiranger," a song composed for Neset's wedding. Opening with a tender solo piano, with the kind of melody that would sweep across a cinematic romantic moment, the track moves through a processional rhythm and a celebratory folk-dance sax tune. It seems to reach its apparent conclusion, only to find a fresh way to reach its destination.

This album offers a dynamic musical journey that can continually challenge and delight. Neset's melodic imagination is remarkably versatile, effortlessly shifting between intense passages and playful interludes, complex arrangements and joyful expressions while maintaining an impressive accessibility throughout. The quintet's chemistry is the foundation that enables such adventurous exploration, often transforming unconventional musical ideas into entertaining moments. Alongside Neset's compositional ability, which has been enhanced by working with large ensembles, it would be easy to overlook his superior skill and flair on alto and tenor. The result is a musical expedition with an irrepressible sense of creativity and adventure.