ON-PLUGGED IN ELSINORE (WITH PETER FRIIS NIELSEN)

This is the 12th Taylor's Free Universe album, where they joined bassist Peter Fris Nielsen for a concert of improvised and eclectic jazz. As with all other TFU releases, this is either a masterpiece or something that you would play just a few seconds of before using the disc as a gun target. There really is no middle ground with these guys, you either love them or hate them and I definitely fall into the former camp. The musicianship, as always, is incredible and the interplay between the five musicians is awesome. Peter is a great bassist, but what really makes this album work is the way that all of the guys can (and do) take the lead, driving the band along before it is time for someone else to define the path. There are times when all of the guys seem to be at the front, all vying to be heard, but it all still works. 'Picnic At Moon' features some great violin, both bowed and plucked, but within the background is a maelstrom of sound from the rest ' all of which works to make this an incredible tour de force to my ears, although it may not seem the same to everyone.

I don't think Robin knows how to release a bad album, this is yet another killer and when released in 2004 was nominated for a Danish Jazz Award. But, if you want your jazz to be mild and meek and behave itself then be warned, this is not like that!

This was a live concert done by Robin Taylor and his band and it features bassist Peter Friis Nielen. We also get Karsten Vogel on sax, Pierre Tassone on violin and Kalle Mathiesen on drums. Robin adds guitar and electronics. I should mention that these are improvs and the music is for the most part minimalistic and difficult. At least for me this is difficult music to get into. Not a lot of melody.Some refer to this as experimental Free Jazz. This was up for an award at the Demnark Music Awards.

"Amalie" has what sounds like picked guitar and bass that come and go. Sax before 2 minutes as the bass continues. Cymbals 3 minutes in and violin replaces the sax around 6 minutes.Tough going. "Picnic At Noon" is minimalistic and eventually various sounds start to come and go. No melody. The mood turns dark and the guitar comes to the fore late along with violin.

"Tight Little Waves" is again a track with not much going on. Sax before a minute and bass becomes more prominant after 4 minutes. "The Fifth Element" is significant as a title, and if you've ever visited the Progressor web-site you'll be familiar with this term. Actually it's Robin's user name on another site as well. Sax and violin eventually lead then the guitar and bass take over. Sax is back after 7 minutes as the song slowly evolves and changes.

"Exit Elsinore" and the final track are the two songs I can enjoy. This one is dark and spooky and sax comes in just before 2 minutes. Some vocal expressions before 8 1/2 minutes. Drums come to the fore after 10 1/2 minutes. Sax a minute later as the haunting atmosphere continues. "Train" opens with sax and these bass sounds that come and go.It starts to pick up before 1 1/2 minutes. Best part of the album right here as the guitar grinds it out. Sax is back after 3 minutes. It gets more intense after 5 minutes.Violin before 7 minutes. It settles back later.

So a good album but if I want to listen to this style of music I would be inclined to reach for something else.