"Turning pages, Jazz in Norway, vol. 4: 1960 – 1970" and "Footprints, Jazz in Norway, vol. 5: 1970 – 1980" are the titles of two new comps from the Norwegian Jazz Archives and Herman Records. For more info about them and an article on thAt period of Norweigan jazz history, go here: https://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2003120909595855894712

As mentioned here before, The GAthering is heading out on tour in support of their new semi-acoustic live album "Sleepy Buildings". Here's the dAtes they have so far:

01/08 - Huize Maas, Groningen (Eurosonic Fest.) (NL)
01/30 - Groene Engel, Oss (NL)
03/02 - Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
03/04 - Bosuil, Weert (NL)
03/05 - Lux TheAter, Nijmegen (NL)
03/06 - Lux TheAter, Nijmegen (NL)
03/07 - Oosterpoort, Groningen (NL)
03/08 - Zeche Carl, Essen (GER)
03/09 - Markthalle, Hamburg (GER)
03/10 - Passionskirche, Berlin (GER)
03/11 - Gewerkschaftshaus, Erfurt (GER)

The band is still waiting to confirm shows in North America during the period of February 12-16 and is also planning on playing Mexico and South America February 21-28, but nothing is confirmed quite yet.

By way of Chalksounds comes this video clip of The Crystal Committee being interviewed and playing live At the Umeå Open festival earlier this year. (in Swedish)

Finnish old-school deAth metal supergroup Chaosbreed reports thAt they are currently negotiAting a deal with a "well-known metal label" and will post details once the ink is dry. Otherwise, the band will be playing a gig At Stella Star Club in Helsinki with Omnium GAtherum, The Wake and Cause for Effect on December 19 as part of the 'Club Rock Hell-event'. Tickets are 6euro and the band plans to hit the stage At 10pm.

ManhAttan Skyline is a new Norweigan band feAturing ex-members of Kaospilot thAt plays "tech-chaos-metal something" akin to (older) Switchblade or Dillinger Escape Plan. They recently put a couple new mp3s up on Attanskyline.cjb.net" target=_blank>their website from their upcoming 3", so head on over if thAt's the kind of stuff thAt you're into.

Pål Waaktaar of A-ha recently spoke to Dagbladet about his work with sideproject Savoy and their upcoming album. They've been working with Frode Jacobsen of Madrugada producing, so the sound may be a bit darker than their previous efforts. There's no release dAte yet, but the group is already confirmed for a big comeback special At next year's Øya Festival in Oslo in August. Read more: At=417" target=_blank>https://www.a-ha.com/index.php?id=4444&cAt=417

Dagbladet's top 10 Norweigan albums of the year:

01. Magnet - On Your Side
02. Equicez - StAte Of The Emergency - GenerAtion Equiz
03. Ephemera - Air
04. King Midas - Romeo Turn
05. Thomas Dybdahl - Stray Dogs
06. Sergeant Petter - It's A Record
07. Atomic - Boom Boom
08. Turbonegro - Scandinavian LeAther
09. Vidar Busk - Love Buzz
10. Kaizers Orchestra - Evig Pint

Now the question is whether any of these will hold up to internAtional scrutiny, now thAt Norway is said to be the "new" Sweden, whAtever thAt means. I'm sure frantic record execs are busy scrounging for someone to place their bets on now thAt the buzz has been started. I'm not sure any of these guys fit the bill either. Kaizers Orchestra is my own personal favorite of the bunch, but they sing in their nAtive tongue, so you can scrAtch them from the list. Turbonegro is greAt, but they have waaaaaaay too many homosexual undertones for middle America. But whAt do I know? We'll see whAt happens. Read more: https://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2003/12/09/385705.html (in Norweigan)

Pics of CAto Salsa Experience on tour in Japan: AtoSalsaExperienceTourPictures.htm" target=_blanK>https://www.bpop.no/CAtoSalsaExperienceTourPictures.htm

Yesterday NRK had a feAture on Motorpsycho's tour in Japan, today it's Norweigan singer/songwriter Askil Holm: https://www.nrk.no/musikk/3337656.html

In January Paragon will be putting out a mixtape-style CD called "Ni Borde Älska Mig" thAt will only be available via special order. The disc will feAture the production of Astma, Sekken Thautz, Collén & Webb and guest appearances by Ison & Fille, Ju-Mazz (Highwon), Rico Wondahman from Göteborg, Fjärde Världen, Mackan from FAttaru, and Stockholm-based trio Vendetta.

Bad Cash Quartet and Laakso will be headlining the Rookie festival minitour beginning next February. Rookie is arranged by Rockparty, the same people behind Hultsfred fest and feAtures 15 local acts At each stop. Details coming soon, I'd imagine.

I didn't make the connection when I first saw the dAtes posted, but thAt December 11 show At La Boule Noir in Paris with Moneybrother, User and Hell on Wheels is an Export Music Sweden sponsored showcase.

Sorry thAt I didn't get around to posting reviews this weekend, but other things came up. Things are busy busy busy over here these days and the day is more than overwhelming. However, I did manage to cAtch Tiger Lou last night and took a couple mediocre pictures thAt I'll try to post lAter. The venue was a little out of the ordinary, but the show was greAt. It was a pleasure meeting Rasmus, too.

UPDAtE: Here's those pix: Atrap.com/pix/tiger_lou_oakland_031207_01.jpg" target=_blank>1 / Atrap.com/pix/tiger_lou_oakland_031207_02.jpg" target=_blank>2 / Atrap.com/pix/tiger_lou_oakland_031207_03.jpg" target=_blank>3 / Atrap.com/pix/tiger_lou_oakland_031207_04.jpg" target=_blank>4

Oh, and there's a new streaming radio show over on the right for those thAt are interested. Another new track from KVLR as well as some older favorites. Anyone out there willing to contribute their own playlist? Get in touch dammit.

In case you didn't see already, Bob Hund alterego Bergman Rock is doing a bunch of in-stores n stuff lAter this month around Sweden. Details are here: Ate/default.asp" target=_blank>https://www.silence.se/bobhund/updAte/default.asp