Ballrogg - Swedish country
Check out a sample from the new Balrogg album "Cabin music", out now via the excellent jazz/improv label .
Label: Hubro
Viewing posts 1-15 out of 15New Stein Urheim LP coming via Hubro for RSD
The excellent Norwegian experimental label is doing a very limited vinyl run of guitarist Stein Urheim's new LP "Kosmolodi" for Record Store Day, his third solo release overall I believe. White label, 150 copies, digital version coming in May.
New from Hubro: Cakewalk
has announced the release of the new album "Wired" from improv/drone/jazz act Cakewalk, a new band featuring members from the groups Sacred Harp, Highasakite, The Sweetest Thrill and Hedvig Mollestad Trio.
Splashgirl
Pressure
Hubro
Sometimes a band or song or album that you haven't listened to in aeons will pop into your head and spark you to give it a casual listen. Whatever the reason, be it a yearning for an adrenaline injection or a desire to experience a distant, heartfelt memory, the uniting factor that draws us to do this is a love -- or even a passing fondness -- for the music in question. Regardless of the genre, from the most minimalistic ambient music to the most complex extreme metal, the music must have that certain something that inspires us and compels us to listen every once in a while. The thing about this third album by the Norwegian "dronejazz" trio is that there's not much on it that would make the average Joe -- jazz-inclined or otherwise -- decide to give the thing a spin on a whim. It's often melancholic in the way that television soundtracks like to portray sadness or hurt and the occasions where the jazz elements come into play are reminiscent of the type of seedy lounge bar music that would usually play over a noir actor's closing monologue. We could go on forever about layers and textures and guest contributions on "Pressure" and, yes, there seems to have been a lot of thought put into creating it, but at the end of the day there's nothing on this almost average album that makes me want to come back and listen ever again.
- John Norby
New from Hubro: Erland Dahlen, Scent of Soil
Up next from the exceptional Norwegian label , the solo debut "Rolling bomber" from drummer/percussionist/saw player (!!!) Erland Dahlen. Seriously: drums, percussion and singing saw and nothing else -- it's awesome.
After that, the new album from pop/jazz act Scent of Soil. Haven't heard that one yet beyond this one sample tune, but considering the label's track record, I'm sure it will be worth checking out. Details here.
MP3: Splashgirl - Creature of light
When your bassist is also billed as "drone commander", I'm pretty much sold from the get-go. 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
1982 recording of Pintura (video)
Go behind the scenes with Norwegian improv trio 1982 as they record their new album "Pintura", out now via .
Hubro to release new album from 1982
Coming soon via , "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 's other stellar recent releases (see: Splashgirl, Huntsville), I have to say that I'm extremely excited to hear this.
The Milk Factory interviews Splashgirl
The Milk Factory interviews Norwegian instrumental/jazz/drone act Splashgirl who will soon be releasing their new album "Pressure" via : http://www.themilkfactory.co.uk/st/2011/08/interview-splashgirl-crossing-the-boundaries/
Hubro to release new Mats Eilerstsen album
has announced that they will be releasing Mats Eilertsen's new album "SkyDive" on September 2, his sixth album overall. Preview the track "Parachute psalm" as posted above.
Besides his own quintet, Mats is also known for his work with artists such as Tord Gustavsen and Food, among others.
Hubro to release Huntsville/Splashgirl split
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 : 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 imprint .