For several decades Norway has had a healthy tradition for Prog, Psych, and Jazz/Fusion — yet, there’s something very different about the ensemble that is Fra Det Onde (”From Evil”). The group is comprised of one of Europe’s finest Jazz drummers Olaf Olsen (Needlepoint, Motorpsycho, Bigbang and others), bassist Rune Neergaard (Bushman’s Revenge, Exoterm) and trumpeter Erik Kimestad — one of the brightest young stars in current Scandinavian Jazz. And they have a secret weapon in the form of sonic wizard Emil Nikolaisen, known for his pioneering Noise Rock in Serena Maneesh, as well as a collaborative album with Todd Rundgren. He’s currently a member of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Emil not only contributes Farfisa and weird electronics to the group’s free flowing streams of sound, he’s also responsible for the innovative album mix that expands the ensemble’s vision into new and astonishing territory.
“Smilet Er En Flyktig Tilstand” is one of those rare records that manage to absorb the spirit of the past and transform it into something new and exciting. Listening to the suite that makes up most of the album, one can sense the cosmic energy of 1970s Don Cherry, or the sonic adventurism of Can in their prime — but Fra Det Onde pushes these aesthetics into the extreme. Labels such as ”Fusion” or ”Psychedelic Jazz” don’t really come close to describing the rush of energy and kaleidoscopic sonics that’s taking place on this record.
Stream the excerpt “Hendrixen” via the YouTube player below:
Vinyl-only, limited to 500 copies, no digital release.
Pre-Order “Smilet Er En Flyktig Tilstand” HERE