[Review] Soft Ffog – Soft Ffog

Soft Ffog is a project started as one-off gig commisioned by Kogsberg Jazzfestival 2016, thanks to the success of the event the band continues to play at some live events. In 2020 the time was finally right to record the debut album, entirely composed by Hasslan. “Soft Ffog” was released on May 27, 2022 and is the first release from the newly born label Is it Jazz? Records, a sub-label of Karisma Records and consisting in 4 long tracks showing the band’s Progressive Rock attitude with Jazz influences. The opener “Chun Li” which was also proposed as a single to present the album, begins with a hypnotic keyboard melody and an elaborate rhythmic session. The guitar is the protagonist with an extended solo in the first part of the piece, which is subsequently transformed and enriched by tempo changes. The deep and load-bearing bass lines give body to the song, while the drumming is solid and elaborate and the guitar offers another long solo that is more biting and electric than the previous one. The intensity increases with the passing of the minutes, they touch a heavier sound in the final, always with an elaborate and refined touch. Continuing on the heavier sounds of the previous “Zangief” it is characterized by a rhythmic session with an elaborate drumming and thick bass lines. The keyboards are inserted inside a prolonged and virtuous guitar solo, always at the center of the sound with that scratchy touch given by the distortion. A very intense and elaborate track, which in the second part offers a more Jazz section with a frenetic drumming and keyboards that replace the guitar in the solo part. “Ken” opens with a more jazzy sound, with a hypnotic bass line and an intricate drumming on which the solo keyboard textures develop. In the central part the track evolves and increases the intensity with the guitar being the protagonist of a cutting solo and the structure of the piece becoming more complex. A track that enhances the technique of the artists involved, enriched by changes in tempo and intensity. The album ends with “Dhalsim” with a pressing rhythm and interweaving of keyboards and guitar on a deep bass line. With a change in tempo the sounds become more Heavy and the keyboards stand out with a solo enriched by modulations and effects. In the central part the band shows its heavier side, with granite guitar riffs, which subsequently develops a fine retro style solo. The piece and the listening conclude with a musical crescendo. The artists that make up the lineup showcase all their technique with 4 long-lasting entirely instrumental tracks characterized by refined solo textures. The rhythm session offers a solid and elaborate drumming and deep and load-bearing bass lines that give body to the tracks. The keyboards and the guitar alternate in the solo parts, displaying sometimes virtuous technique and quality ideas. An album that mixes Heavy and Jazz traits, offering Prog sounds with a retro touch and a very personal and original style. A high level listening, an excellent debut for both the band and this new label.

Tracklist

01. Chun Li (09:44)
02. Zangief (08:46)
03. Ken (07:40)
04. Dhalsim (09:28)

Lineup

Tom Hasslan (Krokofant) / Guitars
Axel Skalstad (Krokofant) / Drums
Trond Frønes (Red Kite, Grand General) / Bass
Vegard Lien Bjerkan (WIZRD) / Keyboards

Soft Ffog |Bandcamp|Facebook Page|Spotify|

Is it Jazz? Records |Official Website|Facebook Page|Instagram|