TARKA

To be precise - it is 4,5 stars. BAnds like this (usually scandinavian) give some hope and keep my interest in last years' progrock. And how absolutely far it is from all these annoying Arena's, Dream Theatres and other impotent artists. Tangle edge is in my opinion just as good as Anekdoten or Landberg, but should not be connected with those bands. It has it's own, very unique style. Surely enough - we'll find here some influences from seventies - krautrock or spacerock perhaps. But it's hard to point out precisely what bands could be yhe influence. Sometimes we can here very kcrimson sounds - like in "Hesperus" (one of the best tracks here" - but still it's not a simple rip-off but tolerable influence: mostly in sound of the guitar, not in the form of tracks. In my opinion this album doesn't have any of the vices that progrock (especially neo- prog) sometimes have; and it's not only for prog-fans. The music here is purely instrumental, based on improvisations, somehow "monotoneus", but far from being boring. No - no boredom at al, and in my opinion it's not very easy to make an hour of instrumental music - played by trio - with no lenghts. There's a lot of the guitar playing here - but it shouldn't be considered as an aimless "endless guitar solo". It rather creates a very special mood, we get involved in, which doesn't disappear till the very end. Musicianship is excellent, melodies are at moments really beatiful, dramaturgy also. Sharp and inteligent music. From other albums I know only "In serach of a new dawn". This one seems a bit better.

Great spirit here! Not long ago I stumbled across this band from Norway which is still on the road nowadays. They just (2010) have released an album consisting of 'old' recordings from 1982/83. 'Tarka' comprises a relaxed psych/space ambience, coupled with a reasonable jazz/fusion and krautrock/ethno touch though. This ís carefully produced while provided with a balanced proportion of composition and improvisation - due to some overdubs very entertaining although this a three-headed group only. So first to say, the music is not randomly issued I'm sure, it's a well thought out concept to state.

The album is wrapped, rounded by the two Vata tracks showing thumb piano excursions and ambient/spacey synth patterns. Stygian Walls on the other hand has been worked out with the typical nordic melancholic mood in the likes of Terje Rypdal. The lengthy centerpiece Yatantah is divided in three sections and more of a jammig outfit with a haunting repetitive bass line. Where Part 1 and Part 3 are primarily heavier edged, the middle section comes more with a jazzy/spacey vibe - irresistible guitar work provided by Ronald Nygård, electric as well as acoustic. Causa Sui are able to deliver such an impressing vibe too.

Furthermore they take some steps towards more experimental fields including some emphasis on diverse cymbal instruments. Where the meandierung Hesperus works with an eclectic touch reminiscent to King Crimson Cinta is full of melancholy, even other-worldly somehow, like common krautrock stuff. Durra Durra then holds an oriental percussion drive, basically relaxed but then - fascinating - it gets out of control a bit in between, Hasse Horrigmoe's bass loses his bearing so to say. No problem though because at some point they get together again.

Reminding me of Weather Report, spheric impressions on Verbina are opening for the relaxed grooving Eidolon - once again provided with tribal percussion and excellent cosmic guitars. 'Tarka' offers roundabout one hour of entertaining, varied music - Terje Rypdal's spirit is present here and there, a lot of interesting stuff to explore. Although ... or maybe even because I have noted many references to other artists this is an impressing album according to my taste - 4.5 stars.