Top 10s for 2011: It's a Trap!

MP3: Splashgirl - Creature of light

When your bassist is also billed as "drone commander", I'm pretty much sold from the get-go. Hubro continues to champion acts that occupy the peculiar space of "drone jazz" -- see also Huntsville or the likewise excellent V. Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble whose 2010 album "Lover man" was a serious sleeper hit -- and Splashgirl is yet another exemplary example of the genre. Unlike the stereotypical notion of jazz being focused on the individual virtuoso or even the lock-step ensemble arrangements of a big band, this is music that is primarily obsessed with mood and feeling. Dynamics, texture and space are key. More and more I'm finding this to be my go-to music when I can't decide what else to listen to as it's always perfect.

Splashgirl - Creature of light

Huntsville
For flowers, cars and merry wars
Hubro

This experimental Norwegian trio have taken a decent stab at the drone genre, generally opting for an askew folk/jazz aesthetic rather than the subsonic metal rumblings that often accompany the style. Its opening title track gives the impression that this could be a contemporary soundtrack to "The wicker man", which is down to the unison of Kongsberg-native Hanne Hukkelberg's eerie vocals and the uneasy nature of the music itself. The second of the recording's two major pieces, "Ear/eye connector", really needs to pull something strong out of the bag and, while it's a great background piece when played at subdued volume, it's something of a disappointment when given one's full attention. It makes a fundamental mistake in the grand scheme of music -- that of the false build up that leads nowhere. For a good deal of its almost 13 minute running time the implementation of drum and sample patterns gives the impression that we're leading into one hell of a driving beat; the pulsating feedback would remain the same but with a beat over it that would just kill. Sadly, it's not the case, which renders the track a good background listener rather than a great piece of sonic genius. It's actually something that could be said of this release as a whole, with "For the working class" seeming like a pointless entry and closer "Star spangled pillow" failing to intrigue on a concentrated listen. If it's a backgrounder you're after, though, this will do the trick. Definitely!
- John Norby

Hubro to release new album from 1982

Coming soon via Hubro, "Pintura", the sophomore album from Norwegian improvised chamber act 1982, an ensemble consisting of harmonium, drums and Hardanger fiddle: http://www.hubromusic.com/index.php?cmd=17
Considering Hubro's other stellar recent releases (see: Splashgirl, Huntsville), I have to say that I'm extremely excited to hear this.

MP3: Huntsville - For flowers, cars and merry wars

Love, love love Huntsville and can listen to them pretty much endlessly. Their music lends itself to such applications very easily in fact. In the same way that Vladislav Delay with Moritz von Oswald Trio explores the sounds of minimalist drone/techno as a live band, so does Huntsville; albeit with a slightly more accentuated acoustic/jazz bent and less of the cold dubbiness. While active listening can be quite rewarding, I prefer to turn it up and let it effortlessly drift by. Before you realize it, this song (the title track of the band's latest album) will have passed you by and you'll be left wondering where the last 19 minutes went.

Huntsville - For flowers, cars and merry wars

Hubro to release Huntsville/Splashgirl split

Hubro will be releasing a series of limited edition LPs starting with a split featuring Huntsville and Splashgirl, both of which also have full-length albums of their own out now on the label. Anyhow, said split will contain previously unreleased material and only 200 copies total will be made for sale. More info and preorder details: http://www.hubromusic.com/

For flowers, cars and merry wars preview

Check out a sample of the new Huntsville album "For flowers, cars and merry wars", due out April 1 via Hubro: http://soundcloud.com/huntsville/for-flowers-cars-and-merry

New Huntsville album in March

Norwegian drone/jazz act Huntsville has announced that their new album "For flowers, cars and merry wars" will be released this coming March via the Grappa Musikkforlag imprint Hubro.

Rune Grammofon has now posted some details on the new Huntsville album "Eco, arches & eras", due out September 22: http://www.runegrammofon.com/artists/huntsville/rcd-2079---huntsville_-eco_-arches---eras-_2cd_

Huntsville have posted a few sound clips from their upcoming 2CD album "Eco, arches & eras" at their website: http://www.huntsville.no/
They also revealed that Norwegian singer Sidsel Endresen appears as guest on the album along with American artists Nels Cline and Glenn Kotche.

Norwegian drone artists Huntsville will unveil their new double-disc album "Eco, arches & eras" on September 22. I assume they are still working with Rune Grammofon, so unless I hear otherwise I'd presume that's the label. The group also says there will be "three visitors" on the album, but provide no further details at this time.

Look for Rune Grammofon to release the new album "A killer for that ache" from singer/songwriter Hilde Marie Kjersem in mid-August. Also on the way later this year are new records from MoHa!, Huntsville (+ special guests), Susanna (of Susanna and the Magical Orchestra) and Humcrush (live) as well as the sequel to the "Money will ruin everything" art-book/2CD compilation.

The New York Times reviews a Rune Grammofon showcase in NYC featuring Opsvik & Jennings and Huntsville: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/15/arts/music/15opsv.html?ref=arts

Rune Grammofon has announced that their first release for 2008 will be from Box, an international supergroup of sorts featuring Raoul Björkenheim (Scorch Trio), Ståle Storløkken (Supersilent, Humcrush), Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, John Zorn) and Morgan Ågren (Zappa's Universe, Mats/Morgan, Flesh Quartet). No exact release date yet, but I'll keep you posted. Also on the way is a new 10th anniversary edition of their excellent "Money will ruin everything" compilation + book set featuring 2 CDs of mostly exclusive material from a wide range of Rune Grammofon artists - I have the first one and it is excellent. Later on in the year, look for new releases from Skyphone, Scorch Trio and Humcrush in the spring and then Arve Henriksen, Susanna, Huntsville and Jono El Grande later on. Plus a few TBA surprises, of course.

MIC Norway profiles drone act Huntsville ahead of their upcoming European tour: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007110716031228597390