NEW CONCEPTION OF JAZZ

One of nu.jazz cornerstone albums, it is Bugge debut on his own label Jazzland. Very interesting album in musicological sense: Bugge started his career as jazz pianist, played with Jan Garbarek and some more Norwegians, associated with ECM Records label, but than founded his own record label and became one of founders of nu.jazz.

Norway in late 90-s bring to the European scene few jazz musicians searching for fresh ideas in jazz. Being jazz professionals, they simplified sound, rhythm and structure of composition, used some recipes from acid jazz, house and techno, and mixed everything in what was later named nu.jazz. In fact, "New Conception Of Jazz" is one of the very first releases of new style.

The music is much more simplified from any form of classic jazz ( incl. be-bop, hard- bop, post-bop, fusion, free-jazz, etc), but are more complex from all forms of electronic pop- music. But, most important, it contains some live instruments, which even play some improves ( in the hard frames of style). As a result, music is a bit more intellectual, than all forms of electronic pop-music, but still very accessible. And a bit less boring, than acid-jazz.

Some moments are interesting, many compositions - not too much. For me it often sounds as "jazz for masses", but at least it doesn't sound as new-age. Possibly this music can attract more young generation listeners to more serious jazz. And for sure this music will give some material for future jazz, I mean - real new jazz.