WALK THE NILE

Prolific and seeming almost ubiquitous Swedish organ/keyboardist Ståle Storløkken first came to my attention with the attention he received here on PA with the release of this album. While not a great fan of trios, bluesy music, or organs as lead instruments, I have to admit that the songs and music on here are quite engaging, interesting, and laudable. Ståle's performances alone draw one in, whether it is his spacey play on the title song or the more traditional BRIAN AUGER-like blues-rock opener, "Fugle Fenix," the minimalist Kosmische feel of the opening two minutes and later sustained chord play of "Aviation," or the more jazzy KEITH EMERSON feel of "Habanera Rocket." Bassist Nikolai Eilertsen is steady and rarely flashy but he is the glue holding it all together. Drummer Torstein Lofthus is quite creative and always so smooth; I really enjoy just listening to his parts.

"Walk the Nile" (10:01) (19/20); "Aviation" (8:01) (13/15); "Habanero Rocket" (14:32) (25.5/30).