Thomas Dollbaum

Wellswood

Big Legal Mess, 2022

8/10

Listen to Wellswood

The folk-rocker and Florida native Thomas Dollbaum sure does impress us on this debut album, where his very literate songwriting is illuminated by a small handful of friends who contribute strings, a saw, a Wurlitzer and other gentle noise makers.

“Florida” starts the listen with Dollbaum’s inimitable drawl complemented by Kate Teague’s pretty pipes in the bare, folk-friendly climate that uses acoustic guitar and atmosphere strategically, and “God’s Country” follows with a fuller display of warmly textured guitars, drums and vocal harmonies.

Landing in the middle, “Work Hard” emits much beauty via a dreamy demeanor that makes good use of Bennett Littlejohn’s lap steel guitar, while “Gold Teeth” recruits thumping drums in a more firm execution of rugged folk-rock.

“Moon” and “Break Your Bones” exits the listen, where the former is full of poetic intimacy that benefits from charming keys and breezy melodies, and the latter puts much emphasis on Dollbaum’s raw pipes amid much emotion.

Now residing in New Orleans and paying the bills doing construction work, Dollbaum’s vision is likely to remind you of names like Damien Jurado and Jason Molina, and he’s clearly got the chops to make a similar impact, too.

Travels well with: Damien Jurado- In The Shape Of A Storm; Jason Molina-Eight Gates

Stefan Orins Trio

October 11

Circum-Disc, 2022

8/10

Listen to October 11

Stefan Orins (piano), Christophe Hache (double bass) and Peter Orins (drums), i.e. the Stefan Orins Trio, celebrated 25 years of playing together with this live show at l’Hospice d’Havré in Tourcoing (F) on October 11, 2021.

“Natt Resa” opens the listen with warm bass plucking, as agile keys and light drums enter the cautious jazz climate, and “Fjell Luft” follows with a quicker pace of piano acrobatics amid a cozy energy of mature and dynamic song craft.

In the middle, “Pétales Au Vent” recruits a bare, intimate landscape of skittering keys, well timed bass and reserved drumming, while “Taplow Court” rumbles a bit lower before emitting a stylish and rhythmic interplay between the brothers. “For” exits the listen, and moves with a stirring, sparse appeal where the sophisticated keys illuminate a very emotive encore.

The trio treat us to old compositions, newer selections and even a brand new piece, as their avant-garde and contemporary jazz ways illustrate a strong attention to detail on this glorious performance.

Travels well with: Otto- Danses; Peter Orins- VRTN & VBTRN

Peter Curtis

Pete’s Pandemic Playlist

Bella Barktalk, 2022

8/10

Listen to Pete’s Pandemic Playlist

A (mostly) solo guitar record from an artist who has played alongside many blues and jazz legends and is also versed in classical sounds, Peter Curtis interprets songs most of us have heard before, and that were running through the recesses of his mind during the pandemic.

“I Will Survive” starts the listen with warm and skilled guitar playing as the tempo of the classic is manipulated playfully, and the Wayne Shorter tune, “Armageddon”, follows with a very meticulous nature that’s quite agile.

Sting’s “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” arrives closer to the middle and showcases very playful progressions, while Duke Ellington’s “Solitude” recruits a rich intimacy that’s full of cautious yet adventurous song craft.

The best track here, “In The Air Tonight”, has Curtis speeding up the Phil Collins hit and adding some culture to the affair, and “Somewhere” exits the listen with a wealth of talent as Curtis’ finger acrobatics are illuminated with much attention to detail.

Other than saxophone on one track, this is entirely Curtis, his guitar and imagination. Some of the songs clearly have ties to the pandemic, though others require some thought about the connection. At any rate, they’re all fun to listen thanks to Curtis’ unique vision.

Travels well with: Doug MacDonald- Overtones; Chris Torkewitz- NY Ensembles

San Gabriel 7

Under The Stars

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Under The Stars

The progressive funk outfit San Gabriel 7 return with a new batch of tunes, and they’ve got the esteemed vocalist Sinne Eeg with them for the high energy, big band influenced set of originals.

“Rocket Blues” opens the listen with playful vocal scatting, where bright brass and frisky drumming makes for a lively start, and “I’m In The Mood For Love” follows with a romantic waltz fueled by soulful horns, warm guitar and crisp drumming to complement Eeg’s elegant vocals.

Halfway through, the cautiously textured “Getting Along With Love” flows with much beauty in the timeless jazz setting that benefits from Andrea Miller’s background vocals, while “The Festival” certainly could soundtrack a street party with its cozy trumpet, adventurous percussion, strategic guitar and Brazilian nods.

Near to the end, “Never Let You Go” brings a charming intimacy that showcases Eeg’s expressive and poetic pipes, and “Hymn” exits the listen soft and dreamy, with gorgeous wordless vocals

This is San Gabriel 7’s 11th album, and the inclusion of Eeg certainly was a wise choice as she illuminates their versatile version of jazz splendidly.

Travels well with: Chris Standring- Simple Things; Eric Goletz- A New Light

Paris Combo

Quesaco?

Six Degrees, 2022

9/10

Listen to Quesaco?

The French quintet Paris Combo have enjoyed an exceptional career that spanned 7 studio albums full of memorable hooks, very literate wordplay and worldly jazz-pop sounds. Very unfortunately, this is their final album, as front woman Belle du Berry succumbed to cancer in 2020, but not before finishing this superb swan song.

The title track opens the listen with warm guitar, playful percussion and elegant singing from Berry, and this approach continues to the melodic and cultured “Barre espace”, where a gypsy sort of appeal is present.

In the middle, “Maudit money” is quite stylish and not without some Latin ideas, while “Axe imaginaire” flows with a dreamy demeanor that benefits from soulful brass, and, of course, Berry’s gorgeous pipes.

“Do You Think” and “Paresser par ici” exit the listen, where the former bounces and shakes with a playful and infectious energy, and the latter is rich with a universal coziness that finishes the listen with so much charm.

Berry is joined by David Lewis (piano, trumpet), Potzi (guitar), Francois Jeannin (drums), Benoit Dunoyer de Segonzac (bass) and Rémy Kaprielan (percussion, vocals), and together this last record further solidifies Paris Combo as a universally enjoyable and imaginative outfit of diverse song craft.

Travels well with: Mamak Khadem- Remembrance; Dom Le Nana- Tempo

Nikola Bankov

Dream Chaser

Amp, 2022

9/10

Listen to Dream Chaser

Although he’s just 23 years old, Nikola Bankov plays alto sax like a seasoned vet, and here along with an all-star cast he fleshes out 8 very daring and exciting jazz-rock pieces you won’t soon forget.

“Soul Purpose” starts the listen with Blac El’s rapping alongside warm sax and playful drumming in the exciting jazz climate, and “Dream Chaser” follows with Randy Brecker’s bright trumpet adding much to the booming atmosphere.

Halfway through, “Sketch 1” showcases elegant sax in a dreamy landscape, while “Heaven On Earth” spends 6 minutes mesmerizing us with its smooth brass, crisp drums and acrobatic bass lines.

Near to the end, “Sketch 2” recruits an other worldly appeal with its jazz fusion prowess, and “In The Zone” exits the listen with no shortage of grooves entering the dynamic and flowing finish.

A powerful and often exhilarating experience, the punk rock and electronic stabs sure do make for a unique body of work that clearly places Bankov in a league all his own.

Travels well with: Anthony Fung- What Does It Mean; The Andy Rothstein Band- Truth Against The World

Richard Gjems

The Youtube Sessions 2020/21

That’s Entertainment, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Youtube Sessions 2020/21

The multi-instrumenalist and vocalist Richard Gjems recorded these tracks in his home on a mobile phone, and his blues is about as sincere and timeless as it gets across the 15 raw tracks.

“Strange Love” gets the album off to a bluesy start with warm harmonica amid the intricate guitar picking and rugged vocals, and this formula continues to the bare, intimate “Moon Going Down”, as well as the soulful swagger of “Rock Me Baby”.

Deeper into the listen, the harmonica acrobatics of “John Hardy” seem tailor made for any dusty porch in the southern U.S., while “Blue Mandolin” indeed highlights the meticulous mandolin prowess with a charming bluegrass feel.

Advancing towards the end, “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” manipulates the harmonica with a superb blues flavor, and “Love That Burns” exits the listen with no shortage of grit and bluesy melody as Gjems displays much talent amid the universal truths he sings of.

The blues comes in many shapes and forms. Richard Gjems plays the sort that’s stripped back, organic and flows with a wise and inviting nature that you can’t help but want to spend more time with.

Travels well with: Bithammer!- Minimum Style, Maximum Effort; Aadal- Lost Songs

Rune Walle & Gunn Alstadhaug

Byrdie’s Dream

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Byrdie’s Dream

The married couple Rune Walle and Gunn Alstadhaug bring much skill and experience to this debut album, where guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica from Rune complements Gunn’s charming vocals.

“Hey Byrdie” starts the listen with warm and fluid folk-rock that emits soothing vocal harmonies, and “Lynx” continues with agile acoustic guitar and the sort of folky coziness that sounds like it should surround a campfire.

Elsewhere, the bare beauty of “Away In The Wilderness” is quite intimate and flows with much grace, just as the country spirited “Darling” does with its well timed and emotive pedal steel prowess.

Further still, “Fools Gold” recruits a playful version of Americana that’s highly memorable with plenty of rhythm, and “Big Lonely” finishes the listen poetic, reflective and with sparing musicianship.

A record that may remind you of Gram Parsons or Emmylou Harris, and that takes influence from Rune’s former bands, Flying Norwegians and Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Byrdie’s Dream is a very genuine and nostalgic listen.

Travels well with: Tusmørke- Nordisk Krim; Meer- Playing House

Strange Horizon

Beyond The Strange Horizon

Apollon, 2022

9/10

Listen to Beyond The Strange Horizon

A Bergen, Norway trio who take influences from 5 decades of heavy metal sounds, Strange Horizon know their way around a muscular riff, and these 8 doom tinted tracks certainly aren’t difficult to enjoy.

“Tower Of Stone” gets the listen off to a thick and thundering start, where smooth vocals and melodic guitar work makes for an inviting climate, and “Fake Templar” follows with dense fuzz as a grungy landscape unfolds with much precision.

“Divine Fear” occupies the middle spot and recruits the very fluid rhythm section that balances both grit and tunefulness, while “They Never Knew” picks up the pace with a dynamic thumping that’s also danceable thanks to the bouncy bass lines.

Further still, “Turning The Corner” is a bit more tame, but no less captivating as the setting is stripped bare with a raw recording, and “Death In Ice Valley” exits the listen and quickly finds itself in murky, doom metal-esque territory that’s firm and exciting.

For fans of Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Melvins or the Sub-Pop label in the early ‘90s, Strange Horizon definitely deserves to be in constant rotation.

Travels well with: Castaway Hounds- Come On Down; Suburban Savages- Demagogue Days

Kornmo

Svartisen

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Svartisen

The nearly 5 decade collaboration between Odd-Roar Bakken and Nils Larsen, as Kornmo the pair birth a very creative blend of jazz and prog-rock that’s instrumental and never short on technical wizardry.

“Snø” gets the album off to a warm start with fluid keys before prog-friendly guitar enters the cautious territory, and “Nordlys” follows with groove filed bass work and crashing drums as a more firm presence enters.

In the middle, the key led “Havørn” quickly turns into a dynamic and flowing display of diverse, retro ideas, while “Fallvind” spends 10 minutes mesmerizing us with its soft acoustic guitar and bouts of buzzing ambience.

Residing close to the end, “Haredans” offers a quick and fluid meshing of key acrobatics, swift drums and soaring guitars, and “Føn” exits the listen with the keys and strings interacting with much beauty in a cinematic sort of way.

A listen that’s full of very precise production and mixing, you’ll hear traces of folk music and jazz sensibilities as this concept album is a superb follow up to last year’s Fimbulvinter.

Travels well with: Kornmo- Fimbulvinter; Mythopoeic Mind- Hatchling

Sleepyard

Head Values

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Head Values

A long running, psychedelic-pop band from Norway, Sleepyard produce delicate melodies, sparing use of heavenly vocals and manage to sound both other worldly and organic at the same time.

The album leads with the atmospheric and dreamy “Klinkekule”, where airy flute guides the soothing climate, and “Peace Voyage” follows with a nearly New Age haze that shimmers with very gentle vocals.

Residing in the middle, “Dream Solution” is textured softly with a hypnotic, ambient approach that’s beat friendly, while “Green Heaven” emits an atypical, cinematic quality that’s quite mysterious.

Nearing the end, “Theme From Slow Earth” places much emphasis on piano as grace and emotion are present and appreciated, and “Holy Day (Revisited)” exits the listen much like how it started- minimal, reflective and with subtle use of instruments that almost seems therapeutic.

There’s plenty of instruments used here, including cello, harmonica, sitar, pedal steel guitar and melodica to name a few. However, they’re used to subtly and strategically, as the underlying theme of the affair is quiet, tranquil sounds. In a time when the world is so chaotic, Sleepyard truly are a breath of fresh air.

Travels well with: Weserbergland- Sacrae Symphoniae Nr. 1; 35 Tapes- Home

The Lust-O-Rama

Twenty-Six Screams

Apollon, 2022

9/10

Listen to Twenty-Six Screams

A Norwegian outfit who were active from 1989-1992, The Lust-O-Rama left behind a healthy amount of a singles, EP’s and compilation tracks on various labels around the world. Fronted by the vocalist Arne Thelin (The Cosmic Dropouts), Twenty Six-Screams was originally released in 1991, and here it lives again with a remastered reissue that showcases their neo-sixties garage rock ways.

“(Can’t Do) Another Mistake” opens the listen with scrappy drumming, playful organs and plenty of surf-rock melodies, and this energy continues to the quick blast of garage rock and thumping fun of “Yeah”, as well as the raw and upbeat “I Want You”.

Further along, the anthemic and blistering pace of “That’s Okay” will get your body moving, while “Run From Her” is a bit more cautious and showcases meticulous guitar work.

Closer to the end, “Again And Again” brings a firm retro-rock spirit to the tuneful grit, and “1-2-5” exits the listen with a live selection, where soaring harmonica, pounding drums and rugged singing make for a lively and infectious finish.

It’s quite amazing that The Lust-O-Rama never achieved the success of bands like The Hives or The Strokes, cause their songs are just as memorable, animated and creative. I suppose, just like most things in music, timing was an issue, as Thelin and company peaked a bit before the world became enamored with the ‘60s again.

Thankfully, this reissue packages their legacy well, and Thelin still plays in Bithammer! and Dang!!!, which are both bands worth plenty of attention.

Travels well with: Bithammer!- Minimum Style, Maximum Effort; Dang!!!- Sociopathfinder

Bithammer!

Minimum Style, Maximum Effort

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Minimum Style, Maximum Effort

The solo project of Arne Thelinin, aka the ex-Kwyet Kings and Lust-O-Rama (now DANG!!!) frontman, as Bithammer! he’s armed with a guitar, a smart phone, an old drum machine, fifty samples and a whole lot of imagination.

“That’s Entertainment!” starts the listen with buzzing garage rock that’s full charged guitar acrobatics and thumping drums, and this energy continues to “Make You Mine (Turd Floor Blues)”, where psychedelic pop ideas enter a very stylish landscape.

Further on, “Pushin’ Too Hard” makes great use of organs in the busy, brass friendly climate that’s quite festive, while “The Garden Of Eden”, the album’s best, brings traces of the ‘80s with a swift and fuzzy spirit.

Close to the end, “What Am I Gonna Do” emits a retro jangle to the upbeat and summery demeanor, and “The Garden Of Sweden” exits with sensual vocal samples amid very modern pop-rock flavor.

An aptly titled affair, Bithammer! is quite raw, a bit rough around the edges, and manages to play the sort of rock that’s quite nostalgic, but also futuristic in its atypical charm.

Travels well with: Aadal- Lost Songs; The Opium Cartel- Valor

Aadal

Lost Songs

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Lost Songs

Aadal, i.e. Michael Aadal (guitar), André Kassen (saxophone), Audun Ramo (bass) and Gunnar Sæter (drums), come together for this sophomore album of their American influenced melodies that come with a hint of melancholy populating these very well thought selections.

“No Man’s Land” leads the listen with very intricate and cozy guitar alongside soulful sax and gentle drumming in the calm setting, and “The Compass” follows with a warm, soothing quality that’s beaming with flowing melodies.

“Into The Light” takes up residence in the middle and emits a very stylish, jazz friendly demeanor, while “The Hunter” hints at post-rock tendencies that shimmer amid the strategic acoustic bass.

Moving towards the end, the dreamy “Opening-Woodlands” segues into the hypnotic and reflective “Woodlands”, where the brass, guitars and drums interact with very sophisticated and emotive gestures.

An album that’s quite spontaneous sounding and with a live feel, all 4 players contribute equally on this collaborative effort that showcases their Scandinavian roots with much attention to detail.

Travels well with: Aadal- Silver; The Opium Cartel- Valor

Adventure

Tales Of Belle Part 1: Across The Ocean

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Tales Of Belle Part 1: Across The Ocean

An aptly titled band name, Adventure bring us on an exciting, sometimes soothing journey thanks to their ‘70s rock, folk and prog ways on this concept album about the Norwegian-American serial killer Belle Gunness.

“Hell’s Belle” starts the listen with some retro hard-rock nods amid the sturdy riffs and energetic prog stabs, and “The Journey Begins” follows with warm keys and a bit of haze entering a nearly spiritual angle.

In the middle, “Dreams” welcomes graceful keys and poetic singing as the gentle, cozy electric guitar mesmerizes us, while “Haunted Wedding” flows with a retro appeal of agile and meticulous organ prowess.

Approaching the end, the thick and buzzing “Voices” is a bit grungy yet very pretty with the expressive voice, and “Crossing” exits the listen with wordless vocals in the dreamy, textured finish.

Sometimes symphonic, other times bare, this fist installment of the Belle series focuses on her life in Norway and emigration to Chicago, which is where her killing began. Part 2 should be available any day now, and I’ll be listening…

Travels well with: Trust Us- Non-Zero Sum Game; Major Parkinson- Night At The Library

Pymlico

Supermassive

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Supermassive

Pymlico sure did impress me with 2020’s On This Day, and here the instrumental outfit return with 8 more diverse and groove filled tunes that make great use of their keyboards, guitars, saxophone and percussion, and they even reel in some guests, too.

“Breaking Protocol” starts the listen with a very fusion-friendly landscape that welcomes Ole Michael Bjørndal on lap steel for the warm, dynamic delivery, and “Confusion” follows with the keys and guitars interacting with creative prog-influenced ideas for the soaring climate.

In the middle, “Are We There Yet?” gets a bit dreamy with soulful brass helping cultivate a jazz spirited atmosphere, while “Time Out” brings trumpet and trombone into the graceful and very pretty album highlight that builds into a fuzzed out rocker.

Near to the end, the cinematic swells of “Doppelmayr” lends itself to a hypnotic and sometimes tense demeanor, and “WTG” exits the listen soft, romantic even, where much beauty resides amid their textured ways.

A listen that is certainly prog-rock at its core, Pymlico also flirt with jazz, AOR and pop, and with the addition of new members on sax and bass, Supermassive is a high point in their esteemed catalog of music.

Travels well with: Pymlico- On This Day; Fatal Fusion- Dissonant Minds

Trust Us

Non-Zero Sum Game

Apollon, 2022

9/10

Listen to Trust Us

A hard hitting rock outfit from Bergen, Norway, Trust Us bring charged riffs, dense fuzz and animated vocals to these very exciting 6 tracks.

“Pharaoh” gets the listen off to an energetic start, where abrasive drums, swirling guitar and throbbing bass complement the soaring vocals, and “Marathon” follows with plenty of retro hard-rock ideas entering the meticulous prog-friendly moments.

“Focus” and “Silverware” occupy the middle spot, where the former is a bit darker in scope and relies heavily on atmosphere, while the latter buzzes with a gritty spirit amid the alt-rock and dreamy bits. “Marathon” then exits the listen with the dynamic rhythm section illuminating the firm yet melodic, thicker rock.

René Misje (guitar, vocals), Lord Bárd (bass) and Cato Olaisen (drums), i.e. Trust Us, sure do make some intense and full sounds for just 3 people, and their meshing of alt-rock, post-rock and prog-rock doesn’t disappoint.

Travels well with: Sonisk Blodbad- The Shores Of Oblivion; Major Parkinson- Night At The Library

Sonisk Blodbad

The Shores Of Oblivion

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Shores Of Oblivion

The Bergen based ensemble Sonisk Blodbad return with a 4th album, and it expands on their prog-rock template with a more muscular sound that often points to the ‘80s with its electronica, the ‘70s with its psychedelic ways and the ‘60s via their krautrock nods.

“Sonisk Blodbad” starts the listen with a playful buzzing and electronic meets organic approach that’s prog-friendly in a sci-fi sort of way, and this formula continues on to the ominous and cinematic “Alan Vega 2.0”, which showcases acrobatic drumming.

The title track arrives at the halfway point, and emits much beauty with its cascading waves of dreaminess, while “Dark Clouds Passing By” recruits a subtle post-punk influence into its surreal landscape of electronic prowess.

“Aspik” and “Blue Triptych” exit the listen, where the former drones softly amid a minimal execution, and the latter spends 23 minutes mesmerizing us with its meticulous tinkering and balancing of space and texture.

On this record, Sonisk Blodbad consists of Niklas Rundquist, Nick Cash Goes Hard, Heidi Torsvik, Tord Litleskare, Haavard Tveito, Sam Fossbakk, Ulf Hussein Sufi Knudsen, Laurie Amat, Conrad Schnitzler, Wolfgang Seidel, Jan-Morten Iversen, Oliver Kersbergen, Steven Cerio and Italia Ruotolo. Together, they make music that will appeal to fans of Pink Floyd, Cabaret Voltaire, and Klaus Schulze, or anyone with an ear for the atypical in the area of rock.

Travels well with: The Tronosonic Experience- The Shadow Vol II; Major Parkinson- Night At The Library

Lasers Lasers Birmingham

Warning

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Warning

The recording moniker of Los Angeles resident Alex Owen, as Lasers Lasers Birmingham the artist finds a unique spot to reside where country music, psychedelic stabs, and an overall sense weirdness exist.

The title track starts the listen with pedal steel and gentle rhythm as smooth vocals enter the Americana setting, and “Perfection in 3/4 Time” follows with breezy melodies in the rugged spirit that embraces all the hallmarks of traditional country sounds.

Elsewhere, “Sugar Momma” is delicate balladry that aches with rustic beauty, while “Lead Me On” finds lush ways to flow with rural ideas that mix in spacey rock tendencies and showcase the best harmonies present.

At the end, “Phantom Vibrations” moves with a bouncy pace and shuffling tempo as fiddles complement the affair, and “What A Shame” exits the listen indebted to Nashville, as louder moments of fuzzy rock enter the equation.

Owen has an all star cast of friends helping him here, including members of Ted Russell Kamp, Gospel BeacH, and Hamish Anderson, and together they breathe new breath into country music that’s certainly a little eccentric but also a whole lot of fun.

Travels well with: John Hiatt- The Eclipse Sessions; Steve Earle- Guy

Knekklectric

Alt Blir Verre

Apollon, 2022

8/10

LIsten to Alt Blir Verre

A Bergen, Norway outfit who play very intricate prog-rock and sing in the Ålesund dialect, Knekklectric return with a 3rd album that embraces their fusion and jazz influences superbly.

“Angra Pa” starts the listen with mesmerizing keys and crisp drumming, as fluid guitars shape the very progressive, dreamy climate, and the title track follows with a soothing approach that makes great use of a clavinet, vibraphone, Wurlitzer and a few guitars, as firm moments enter as well.

In the middle, the warm, jazzy spirit of “Muknado” showcases agile melodies and a busy yet very precise landscape, while “Beksvart Gull” is especially moody, and balances calm vs full bursts of prog-rock. “Se Pa Me No” finishes the listen, and it’s an intimate exit of poetic and cautious song craft.

Although lyrically on the darker side of the equation, the music here is generally upbeat, soaring and full of much creativity that clearly sets Knekklectric apart from the legions of other European prog bands.

Travels well with: The Tronosonic Experience- The Shadow Vol II; Major Parkinson- A Night At The Library