JAZZ, FRITT ETTER HUKOMMELSEN

It's been a strange year for me to say the least so I'm not too surprised that this has carried over into my favourite picks of 2016. I can't get over how many albums this year from bands I enjoy seem to be a step down from their previous works. Mostly they've either become more commercial sounding or they've changed their style somewhat. There of course are exceptions to this thankfully, and I'm going to be quite happy with my "Best of 2016" list but for me overall this is an off year. Interesting that BUSHMAN'S REVENGE released two albums close together, sort of a ying versus yang thing kind of like OPETH and DJAM KARET have done in the past along with some other bands. My experience with these generally is that I really like the one but not the other. And here's another example of this as they've released this traditional sounding Jazz album, going back to their roots, their first love you could say, while "Bushman's Fire" the live one is what I'm used to hearing from this band, from a lights out, slow burn to being completely on fire. Yes the live album smokes, the studio one not so much.

While this studio album could be called Contemperary jazz it isn't normal because... well this is BUSHMAN'S REVENGE so we get guitar added to the stuffiness and not just guitar, it's distorted and bluesy like Hendrix at times while at other times it's very melancholic bringing Terje Rypdal to mind. The album's title means "Jazz From Memory" a hint at how this is their roots. The guitarist also mentioned that they wanted to explore the link between the Shorter/ Coltrane world and the electric Blues/ Hendrix world. This is really annoying to listen to if your not giving it your complete attention, and that's probably just my dislike for traditional sounding Jazz.

"Contemplation" is one of two covers they did here. This one is a McCoy Tyner track and it's quite laid back early on with mournful guitar and a relaxed beat. The guitar becomes more prominent after 2 minutes as is the drumming. The guitar is lighting it up starting before 4 minutes. "0500" opens with bass only and it sounds like an upright bass. Cymbals and guitar join in around the 2 minute mark. The tempo picks up as well until they are kicking ass. I really like the guitar and drumming here. It settles back some around 7 minutes in.

"Bo Marius" starts off slow with atmosphere along with relaxed guitar and beat. It starts to become more intense when the guitar starts to light it up and the drums pound before settling back late as it ends like it began. "Gamle Plata Til Arne" has rumbling drums and fuzzed out guitar expressions in this dark piece with lots of depth. Things do become more intense after 6 minutes, especially as the guitar grinds away. "Angels" is a cover of an Albert Ayers tune. Picked guitar and some impressive bass before rumbling drums join in. This is tough going. It's getting insane before 6 minutes as they all decide to set the soundscape on fire. The guitar is crying out ala Rypdal but then it all calms down very late to end it. "Lola Mit Dem Gorgon Zola" is a traditional jazz tune all the way.

This just isn't my scene but the live one they released called "Bushman's Fire" certainly is my scene. If your more into the Contemporary Jazz style I still don't know if you'd like this because of the guitar. 3 stars.

I like the sound of this record, I like the guitar lines, all the music creates an atmosphere of calm, smooth and intense at the same time, a well organized chaos is created by the guitar, I like this type of records where each song It's expressive, it makes you feel like you're inside the music, it takes you to another level. I like when the guitar is distorted and bluesy, when the guitar smells to the 70's, all this fuses with jazz music, with a solid section of drums and bass, this record is perfect for me because it is jazz music but with an addition of a impressive guitar.