KIND OF SALTZ

When SOT were suggested for inclusion, long time ago, I immediately liked the samples and gave my vote. Then I have forgotten them until I have seen a review on the home page. Now I'm happy to suggest this excellent album to everybody likes non-trivial music, a bit of experimentation and good musicianship. This is not a challenging album. Of course it's not very radio-friendly but I'm sure that rock specialized radios wouldn't have problems in putting some of the songs on air.

This is a trio, and as everybody knows, a trio is the most difficult line to play in from a technical point of view, and the first thing which hits the ears is the use of Tuba instead of bass. Not as strange as it could seem, it contributes in giving a jazz accent to what I can consider eclectic prog. It's curious that the music reminds me to the great Pekka Pohjola and the Bass is totally missing.

I love the hard intro and the challenging signature of "Schlatan", the "Canterbury influence of "Tusjpan" and the grotesque, a little Oldieldish "Bartof".

The lazy tempo of "Follower" and its mixture of jazz and heaviness is exciting, "Saltpetersyre" is between Crimson and Yes, and hearing the tuba in unison with the guitar is amazing.

"Dan Avsagde" is a short Tuba solo followed by "Statten" which is one of the most challenging tracks, between chamber rock and jazz. Very tasty but not easy. Its calm and quiet second half is very ambient and its jazzy final is exciting.

The album proceeds with "End Of Saltz", reminding me of Soft Machine but with a Floydian guitar and the omnipresent Tuba. Short but great. "Oftebrua" is more RIO oriented, a track which totally justifies the inclusion of SOT in this subgenre, but still with a Canterbury flavor . A lovely track with a fantastic jazz piano.

The album is closed by the longest track: "Tzar Saltan". It's a track made of many different things tied together, but not just a patchwork. Even if the structure seems to be not recursive, it flows without sudden breaks. Also on this track, the unison of Guitar and Tuba is remarkable, especially when the guitar is distorted and heavy.

A 4.5 stars album. I rate it with 4 by now but I could change my mind with the time. Strongly suggested.