Ingebrigt Haker Flaten: Quintet

Live and on record, Flaten's quintet repertoire represents his rich musical language, covering anything from the demanding sophistication of Anthony Braxton to the groove-infected anthems of Marvin Gaye. His young co-conspirators are three fellow countrymen, guitarist Anders Hana, reed player Klaus Ellerhusen Holm, and violinist Ola Kvernberg, plus the dynamic Swedish drummer Fredrik Rundqvist. This quintet was founded for the Kongsberg Jazzfestival, where Flaten got the prestigious Vital Prize. Festival producer Martin Revheim contributes poetic liner notes to Quintet.

The opening track, Flaten's "Maxwell Siler Demon," states the direction. Heavy fingering by Flaten, a steady backbeat by Rundkvist, and folky fiddle playing by Kvenberg draw an inviting theme. But then the metallic and punkish guitar of Hana, whose resume includes a stint with the Norwegian metal band Noxgat, takes control with a typical fractured solo above rhythmic playing by Flaten and Rundkvist. Meanwhile Kvenberg seesaws the theme, and Holm's baritone sax shrieks and soars. Charlie Haden's classic "Playing" receives the needed lyrical treatment, with almost unison playing by Flaten, Kvenberg, Hana and Rundkvist—leaving Holm (on clarinet) and later Kvenberg to improvise on this beautiful melody.

Flaten's "Seemingly" moves through curved, funky lines in a way that brings to mind some of the latest outfits led by Henry Threadgill, with their original instrumentation and unorthodox swinging style. Kvenberg leads Flaten's ballad "Ceta" through the leader's heavy strumming and Rundkvist's spare drumming, till Flaten formulates a slow groove that drifts Holm and Hana into the piece.

Hana's "Olja of Gass" delves into a rock-steady groove, with muscular fingering by Flaten and energetic drumming by Rundkvist. Holm howls, Kvenberg's angular lines fight for some space, and Hana punctuates this piece with some ragged playing, later alternating into a surprising gentle coda. Holm's short and restrained "Zardoz" sounds like a modern improvisation. Marvin Gaye's long-gone love song "It's a Desperate Situation" is a sweeping R&B anthem, with synchronized bass and drums interplay; inspired feedback-laden solos by Hana and Kvenberg, still fighting for every note; soulful playing by Holm; and assured and masterful leadership by Flaten.

An excellent statement by a unique band.