DODOVOODOO

4.5 stars really!!

First album from this Swedish project between two semi-experimental groups, Elephant 9 is a KB-dominated trio, but unlike many of these bands, this one thrills me beyond belief despite the reminiscence of Emerson when it comes to the organ playing. Coming in a weird colourful digipak that would resemble some of the crazier oeuvres from Vasarelli, the album is part of Rune Grammofon's catalogue, but it is probably the label's goofiest album title in their roster.

Demented drum beat and frantic Hammond organs, underlined by a manic but discreet bass is what the opening title track is all about. The following Cover The Mountain Top is a fantastic long ride with key-player Storlokken switching between a Fender Rhodes and his Hammond. Most of the tracks present some improvisation though in varying degrees, but the torrid closer Directions takes the cake and gives the album an abrupt and surprising end. Hymne is a welcome change of pace and is a slow Hammond-only track (probably the most Emersonian track of the album), before Misdirections takes the album back on its fusion path There is a definite "retro" feel to this album, not only induced by the vintage keyboards, but the "songwriting" as well: Doctor Honoris Causa is definitely taking its sweet time as would just about any Mwandishi track.

Certainly one of 2008's better albums, although I only discovered it the following year, DDVD is one hell of torrid lava flow seeping from your speakersand pouring all over into your living room. Definitely worth the investigation and the investment

Don't be fooled by this funny multicoloured cover design ( which is looking as bad imitation of modern art from early 20-s, produced by computer courses trainee). Those Norwegians can play real music, and this music smokes!

Heavily based on vintage keyboard sounds (Rhodes and Hammond), their music has same energy as Deep Purple golden recordings. Just imagine Deep Purple without Blackmore (let's say he's gone to visit baby Candy Knights), with Lord attacking listeners with slightly jazzy passages. Here we are.

For sure, drumming is different, and there even is some guitar on this recording, but I believe you got the idea. All compositions are quite different and sound as fresh air in quite boring atmosphere of late 00-s.

Need I tell you more, or just go and listen it?

Completely blown away, or maybe trampled underfoot is the better way to describe what ELEPHANT9's debut has done to me. This band is from Norway and boasts an all-star cast. I was only familiar with the keyboard player who's played with Terje Rypdal (enough said) and the drummer who's from the SHINING, again enough said. Interestingly enough but not too surprising I suppose is that the keyboards and drums dominate the sound here. This was recorded live in studio to anologue tape. The band that came to mind for me the most was ONE SHOT. It's that incredible and unpredictible drum work along with the Fender Rhodes that brings that amazing band to mind quite often. The difference here is that we don't get the same upfront bass and guitar, rather we get lots of spacey synths ala WEATHER REPORT and Hammond Organ. Speaking of WEATHER REPORT the last two tracks on this album are WEATHER REPORT covers, both from the "I Sing The Body Electric" album.

"Dodovoodoo" opens with odd-metered drumming with some nasty organ runs. This is great ! He's beating the hell out of his drum kit here. Some nice deep bass lines too. "I Cover The Mountain Top" opens with atmosphere as sparse sounds come and go. We get a beat around 1 1/2 minutes and it picks up a minute later with some filthy organ. The drumming is so good,very intricate here. ONE SHOT comes to mind after 5 minutes with the Fender Rhodes. I'm so moved 7 minutes in by what i'm hearing. Crushing organ 8 1/2 minutes in. "Skink" opens with random drum patterns with the organ floating along side. It kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes. Killer stuff.

"Hymne" opens with atmosphere as synths roll in. The guitar is making some noise. Organ follows as they both come and go. This is an intense but slow moving soundscape. "Misdirection" is led by keys and drums. Spacey synths a minute in. Nasty organ follows. "Doctor Honoris Causa" is spacey to open as a beat joins in. Keyboards follow as the synths stop. It's starting to build. Intense 6 1/2 minutes in. Back to the atmosphere late. A very cool cover song. "Directions" has no real melody as loud and abrasive sounds come and go. Drums and keyboards start to lead 2 1/2 minutes in. Amazing ! A Zeuhl-like rhythm follows with synths and keys. Please stop this is too good to be true. It picks up late.

What can I say, it's darn near perfect for my tastes. If there was less Hammond and more Fender Rhodes I wouldn't be getting back up from that stampede.

Big pounding drums, swirling Hammond organs, eerie sounds and chunky bass engaging. This Norwegian collective know their chops and deliver an album with improvisations that are both free and tight, rocking and at the same time spontaneous.

Just like the follow-up "Walk The Nile", I instantly would want to buy tickets to see them in concert, but at home this album never sets the house on fire. A recommendable feature for most, but I prefer music that does. It's hard to tell what's missing, but I blame the lack of really memorable grooves and compositions that similar sounding bands like Guapo and One Shot have for instance. The atmosphere and intensity is present though and the playing is wonderful.

Despite my misgivings this is an enjoyable album from a great band. Overall I prefer it to "Walk The Nile", and the album gets better and more weird towards the end, where "Direction" ends the album on a high note. 3.5 stars

Norwegian jamming Jazz-Rock/Prog trio.The formation of the band was an idea of drummer Torstein Lofthus and bassist Nikolai Hængsle Eilertsen,who called Stale Storløkken to contribute on keyboard duties.Only two rehearsals were enough for the trio to decided to move on in a more stable basis,so Elephant9 was born.After some gigs they entered the studio to record their debut ''Dodovoodoo'', released finally on the Oslo-based label Rune Grammofon.

The album presents a band full of energy,creativity but also an improvisation mood but with a very tight and unique playing.''Dodovoodoo'' sees Storløkken delivering double keyboard attacks,often surrounding his jazzy dominant electric piano with obscure synth work.He also uses the Hammond organ in a frenetic way,reminding of the 70's, when a young KEITH EMERSON was torturing his own Hammond on stage.Impressive performance to say the least,accompanied by a poweful and dynamic drummer and a strong bass player playing fast and furious bass lines,this one must be one of the most dynamic rhythm sections ever.The influences are many,from the jazzier and more improvisational side of E.L.P. to the abstract offering of Canterbury bands like THE SOFT MACHINE or HATFIELD AND THE NORTH.Additionally the album contains also some spacier parts with hypnotic bass lines, background synths and distinctive electric piano to make Elephant9's sound a bit more diverse.

This album contains a vast amount of music power and often sounds like a jamming session than a well-arranged effort.For the mystified of the style,this is a pure delight,though I recognize many will have a hard time absorbing all this dense energy.Still the album desreves a warm recommemdation,for this is a trio with good ideas and a very rich sound.