Frode Gjerstad Trio | Russian Standard | Not Two Records

After two decades of trios with various international musicians, this is Frode Gjerstads first all-Norwegian trio. And it is a significant move towards a Nordic improvised sound. In the past, he has played in trios with Hamid Drake, William Parker, John Stevens, Johnny Dyani, Kent Carter, Wilber Morris and Rashid Bakr, John Edwards and Mark Sanders. This trio has made 8 recordings so far: “Last First” on the US label, Falcata-Galica. A studio-recording from November -99 when the group was quite fresh. Then came a live recording from September 2000 in Oslo, “The Blessing Light” on Cadence Jazz Records. This CD is dedicated to the late British drummer, John Stevens. “Sharp knives cut deeper” with Peter Brøtzmann on the Italian label Splash came in-03, “St.Louis” is a live recording from our 2002 US tour that came out on FMR in -04 and in 2005 we recorded “mothers & fathers”. In 2007 we recorded “Nothing is forever” at a concert in Oslo. Then there is “MIR” recorded in 2010 at cafe MIR, Oslo. This was the first try out for the new trio. And the “East of West” was recorded in April 2011. The trio has so far toured and/or played festivals in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Poland, Germany, Slovenia, Kroatia, Italy, New Zealand, Russia, England, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, USA and Canada. Continue reading

Bobby Bradford | Frode Gjerstad | Ingebrigt Håker Flaten | Paal Nilssen-Love | Kampen | No Business Records

Sometimes there are weird coincidences. When we got new albums on our review list recently, many of them included reminiscences of the golden jazz eras in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Rob Mazurek’s Pulsar Quartet sometimes sounds like the seminal Miles Davis Quintet, Sam Rivers’ trio with Dave Holland and Barry Altschul brings back memories of his RivBea studio days, Michael Blake taps the great jazz-rock bands of the 70s, Joe McPhee’s plays “Naima” and “Round Midnight” on two new reissues, and even Wadada Leo Smith and Louis Moholo-Moholo salute the great Ancestors. Finally, west-coast-legend Bobby Bradford’s new album reminds one of the landmark Ornette Coleman Quartet with Don Cherry, Scott LaFaro and Ed Blackwell. — Martin Schray Continue reading

THE THING with Barry Guy | METAL ! | No Business Records

Recorded live at Saint Catherine’s Church, Vilnius, Lithuania on 3rd April, 2011 by Arūnas Zujus. All compositions by Mats Gustafsson (STIM), Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (TONO), Paal Nilssen-Love (TONO) & Barry Guy (PRS), except “Ride the Sky” by Lightning Bolt, “Praseodymium” by Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (TONO) & Barry Guy (PRS) and “Neodymium” by Mats Gustafsson (STIM) & Paal Nilssen-Love (TONO). Mixed and mastered by Arūnas Zujus at MAMAstudios. Design by Oskaras Anosovas. Produced by The Thing and Barry Guy. Executive producer – Danas Mikailionis. Co-producer – Valerij Anosov Continue reading

Atomic | Bikini Tapes | No Business Records

Like “Boom Boom” this is a reissue of Atomic’s long out of print 3CD box “Bikini Tapes”. It includes the best pieces from their tour in Europe in 2004 and remains one of the groups’ best releases. It is released as a tripple gatefold numbered vinyl with an original graphic work on the cover. A real bomb for the fans of great jazz music. Limited to only 300 copies. Be quick. Continue reading