Elephant9,
the newest Norwegian revelation and an amazing power trio, has come
into the spotlight with their debut album Dodovoodoo, released in June
2008. With Ståle Storløkken on keyboards, bassist
Nikolai Hængsle Eilertsen and Torstein Lofthus on drums, the
group is tight, allowing the listener to bathe in their unity while
taking progressive jazz to modern neighborhoods.
Fusing rock
sensibility with experience and technique, they create a genuine
dynamic improvisational groove. Storløkken maintains the 60’s
and 70’s keyboard style and adds to Lofthus’ ever changing drum
composition. We might be inclined to forgo jazz for its complexity…
however; the title track Dodovoodoo grips our attention, keeping a high
pace with rock rhythms and pure jam.
Storløkken’s
Hammond organ is reminiscent of Weather Reports’ Joe Zawinul, with an
almost abrasive Fender Rhodes sound. Considered to be one of Norway’s
leading improvising keyboardists, collaborator in groups Supersilent
and Box, he is undoubtedly the protagonist in Elephant9. Lofthus is
relentless. One of the surviving members of Shining, free improv
dominates his playing and everything is possible. Ranging from funk to
rock to drum and bass, he rarely lets the energy decrease with what
seems to be constant soloing during their psychedelic cacophony.
While
the album is quite vigorous, we get to see all sides of the equation.
Hymne brings a soft ambience to the album, allowing the listener to let
down their guard, only to kick the levels up with Misdirection, a
reference to Zawinul’s “Directions”. The references continue with
Doctor Honoris Causa and Directions, contributing to their outer space
feel and free jazz mantra.
The result is a fascinating, yet an
easy-to-listen-to album, playable in the background, yet nagging in its
head bobbing groove. Jazz enthusiasts will consider it to be a
candidate for the best release in 2008, and non-jazz listeners can get
into the genre easily with its modern take on old standards. An
exemplary addition to any collection, Elephant9 dazzles with its unique
take on musical density while maintaining a healthy amount of rock
sensibility.
