Scheen Jazzorkester & Cortex: Frameworks

Frameworks is the sort of project that would be difficult to envisage anywhere other than the supportive cultural ecosystem of Norway. Calling on diverse funding streams, it brings together the 11-member Scheen Jazzorkester (SJO) and the forward looking quartet Cortex, in a venture masterminded by the latter's trumpeter Thomas Johansson. Established in 2010 as a professional large jazz ensemble, the SJO has become a major force in Norwegian progressive composer-based ensembles with numerous releases to its name. Johansson's roots are in Skien (confusingly the city is called Skien, but in the Orkester's name it is written Scheen) and this is the second time the band has commissioned him to write for them.

The recording, which captures a date from a joint tour by the two outfits, transmits both the excitement and subtlety inherent in the combination. Johansson showcases soloists drawn from both groups (helpfully identified on the album sleeve) within astute charts tailored to their strengths which encompass rattley improv, plush big band sections and more angular orchestral textures. While he and his Cortex bandmates stray furthest from the beaten path, he successfully integrates those more mainstream-inclined into five pieces that form a satisfying whole.

Twin drummers Dag Erik Knedal Andersen and Audun Kleive, and bassists Ola Høyer and Jan Olav Renvåg create a tappy percussive entrance to the propulsive vamp of "Hoo-Hah," which features the first of several puckish and razor-edged contributions from Johansson, which show just why he is so in demand by the likes of Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra and Paal Nilssen-Love's Large Unit among many others. The piece segues smoothly into the pillowy pastoral ballad "Weavings," where Finn Arne Dahl Hanssen's trumpet excursion is particularly notable.

Perhaps the highlight is the Albert Ayler-esque "Strings" which contains some wonderful moments courtesy of Kristoffer Berre Alberts' pointillist tenor saxophone plosives, and later the cappella duet between Johansson and Jon Øystein Rosland's tenor which contrasts lyric and abstract phrases, as well as a burly pizzicato outing from Høyer. Johansson keeps the interest levels high through the klezmer-tinged "Inklings" before the inevitable flag-waving closing title track. In doing so he ensures the merits of Cortex are writ large, and given added heft by the collective efforts of the SJO.

Comments