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Jorgen Mathisen
Krokofant: 6
by Glenn Astarita
Krokofant is a Norwegian trio formed in 2011, built around the combustible chemistry of Tom Hasslan on guitar, Jorgen Mathisen on saxophone and synthesizers, and Axel Skalstad on drums. After two albums as a five-piece, they stripped back to their original trio format for 6, and the results are formidable. “Oh My God" announces itself immediately. A striking and melodic unison hook shifts across registers, giving the track a bold, gripping energy that does not let up. The ...
Continue ReadingDAMANA: Rhizome
by Troy Dostert
Enterprising drummer Dag Magnus Narvesen has been a leading figure in the Norwegian improvised music scene since the 2010s. He has specialized in free encounters, such as those with pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach, heard most recently to fine effect on Kairos (Fundacja Sluchaj, 2024). But Narvesen also has a developing voice as a composer, and on Rhizome his octet, DAMANA, provides an expansive and colorful palette with which to explore this side of his muse. The album is ...
Continue ReadingKrokofant: Krokofant 6
by Glenn Astarita
Formed in 2011, the band--Tom Hasslan (guitar, bass), Jørgen Mathisen (saxophone, synthesizers), Axel Skalstad (drums, percussion)--fuses jazz-rock with progressive elements in a style as quirky as their name suggests. Krokofant 6 is issued by the fittingly-named Is It Jazz? label, marking a return to its core trio setup. This shift ignites a fiery improvisational spark, delivering a sonic assault that balances meticulous craftsmanship with thrilling unpredictability. Listeners may feel momentarily unmoored but will savor the electrifying impact. The ...
Continue ReadingDag Magnus Narvesen Octet: Cornua Copiae
by John Sharpe
At times there seems no end to the bewildering stream of talent emerging from the Norwegian jazz scene. Fresh off the conveyor belt comes drummer Dag Magnus Narvesen whose Damana Octet functions more akin to an even larger ensemble, thanks to some expertly voiced charts. On the roster are some increasingly familiar names, such as saxophonists Kristoffer Alberts and Andre Roligheten, alongside a welter of less well known but equally skilled compatriots. In its blend of concise yet integrated solos ...
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