LIVE

Dynamic-Duo takes a full band on the road

Sub-genre: Jazz/Rock Fusion (Very strong Zappa, almost RIO flavor)
For Fans of: Frank Zappa
Vocal Style: Instrumental
Guitar Style: Morgan's brother Jimmy provides occasional lightly distorted bluesy licks.
Keyboard Style: Various styles from Rhodes and B3 (clean and overdriven on both) to harpsichord/clavinova and vibe patches. Basically runs the table on synth patches.
Percussion Style: Morgan Agren's heavy rock set with syncopated virtuosity and thick polyrhythms.
Bass Style: Picked, slapped and heavy.
Other Instruments: Did I mention there are keyboards on this album?

Summary: It is only fitting that such a fine example of the improving quality of live recording would come from the Swedish protégés of one of the most prolific live recording artists, Frank Zappa. If not for the crowd in the background, it would be very hard to distinguish this from a studio album. The music is extraordinarily tight in the vein of early to mid-80's Zappa Jazz compositions with a hint of Weather Report/Return to Forever style Jazz/Fusion atrocities. The heaviness of the drumming sets this project apart from the aforementioned influences. While Morgan is certainly capable of dynamic contrast, he often displays it on this album; it is his assault and batteries that make me shake my head in disbelief. The key players are awesome (the album has 2 others besides Mats) but lend to the albums one big drawback in that it maybe just a touch to keyboard heavy. This, unfortunately, despite the quality and variation in playing, tends to cause a slightly redundant feel to the album. Another element that prevents masterpiece status is the notable absence of Mats' Stevie Wonderesque vocals and flavorful harmonica playing.

Final Score: This is a highly recommended addition to any progressive collection. This is one of the finest examples of modern live recording. Only minor setbacks as listed above. 4 stars.

Mats (keyboards) and Morgan (drums) have been playing together before they were even in highschool. At first they were a Zappa cover band but have since started playing their own compositions which are all-instrumental.These two guys steal the show on this live album recorded at a club in Stockholm, Sweden in June of 1999. From Bruford to Zappa these fellow musicians have talked about how blown away they have been by the talent of these two men.

"Hollmervalsen" opens with drums, organ and bass all sounding so amazing. Keyboards join in and it turns heavier 2 1/2 minutes in then the tempo picks up. Intense. Nice bass 8 minutes in and check out the drums and keyboards a minute later. "En Schizofrens Dagbok" has some incredible interplay on it. It's all so intricate and precise. "Ta Ned Trasan" is led by keyboards and drums early. It's insane 1 1/2 minutes in. Some crazy keyboard sounds before 3 minutes. Chunky bass a minute later. It settles before 6 minutes then it starts to rebuild.

"Jigsaw Variations" has this unsteady beat with guitar sounds. It gets louder. Great sound 3 minutes in until almost 5 minutes. "Guardian Pitch" opens with drums and bass. Keyboards before 2 minutes.This sounds so good. "Paltsug" is a short piece that ends with spoken words. "Etage A41" is uptempo and complex. Guitar before 2 1/2 minutes rips it up for a minute. Intense before 6 minutes to the end. "Min Hast" is led by guitar before 2 1/2 minutes as drums and bass pound it out. I really like when the organ comes in late. "Banned Again" is led by organ, bass and drums early. Keyboards after a minute. The drums are unreal. It settles before 5 minutes as the crowd roars it's approval at what they've been hearing. "Igloo" is the jazziest of all the songs. Vibes on this one too. "Kintormen" sounds amazing as the drums pound and keyboards play. It settles some after 3 1/2 minutes. Processed vocals end it.

Just an incredible display of instrumental talent on this one. A solid four stars.