If the names Thomas Strønen and Ståle Storkløkken
might not instantly be familiar, their work is likely
to have crossed the path of most contemporary jazz fans.
As the drummer of Iain Bellamy’s Food
quartet, as well as a regular with the Maria Kannegaard
Trio and Parish, the quartet led by Swedish pianist
Bobo Stenson, Strønen is part of a breed of jazz
musicians to have emerged from the Nordic scene in the
last ten years or so. Storkløkken is one of the
three original members of Veslefrekk, a formation which
got together at the so-called Jazz Academy in Trondheim,
Norway, and before it became Supersilent
when Deathprod’s
Helge Sten joined.
As the tradition has it in jazz in general and in Scandinavian
jazz in particular, both musicians have performed with
a considerable number of formations and other musicians,
patiently learning their craft while gaining recognition
amongst their peers. This first album recorded together
is therefore just the next logical step in their respective
career. Although released as Strønen / Storkløkken,
the pair have since adopted the album title as their
nom de guerre.
Humcrush documents a set of improvisations
recorded live in the studio, which were later mixed
by the pair. What hit the listener first are the energy
and the infectious groove running through the whole
album. Strønen and Storløkken create here
an impressive series of colourful sonic constructions
lead by Strønen’s omnipresent drums and
Storløkken’s ever-changing electronic tones
and textures.
Even on some of the quieter moments, as on In The
Cave or on the title track, there is a languorous
groove snaking its way through the torpor to give definition
and shape to both pieces. Yet, it is when the pair really
let loose that the music becomes most captivating, and
this is never most obvious than on the opening moments
of Acrobat. As Strønen’s drums
originally set the pace, Storkløkken introduces
a melodic motif over discreet layers of electronic sounds,
building on the beat and bringing the whole thing to
life. This very much sets the tone for the rest of the
record, as further developed on the following Sport’n
Spice and Dance!.
Later on, on Pusher, the pair appear to opt
for a more contrasted mood, the beat stuck between machine-gun-like
effects and breaks while multiple keyboard lines incorporates
elements of funk, middle Eastern melodies and post-industrial
abrasions, creating one of the most exhilarating moments
of this record, and perhaps one of the finest tracks
released on Rune Grammofon.
As the album comes to a close in rather gentle fashion
with the subtle Japan, Thomas Strønen and Ståle
Storkløkken draw the curtain on this impressive
first collaboration. Humcrush is a truly infectious
record, with vast scope, and is undoubtedly destined
to become a classic.
4.6/5 |
