In just five years, Norwegian label Rune Grammofon has
established itself as one of Europe’s most challenging,
consistent and eclectic labels around. To celebrate
these first five years and thirty releases, the label
is bringing a compilation of almost entirely exclusive
tracks from the entire roster. But Money Will Ruin
Everything is no ordinary compilation. Vowing to
convey the esthetic of Rune Grammofon, this double CD
comes with a stunning 96 page hardback book designed
and edited by Norwegian artist Kim Hirthøy, showcasing
his work for the label. The book also contains essays
by Rob Young, editor of The Wire, and design writer
Adrian Shaughnessy, plus an interview with label founder
Rune Kristoffersen.
Kristoffersen started his musical journey in the mid
seventies by playing in a variety of bands before forming
pop outfit Fra Lippo Lippi in 1978. The band’s
career really took off in the mid eighties when they
signed to Virgin in London and released the album Songs.
The band finally dismantled a few years later, and Kristoffersen
spent the next five years teaching, before returning
to the music industry as ECM label manager. It is during
this time that the idea of starting his own label came
up, and a chance meeting with
Helge Sten, better known as Deathprod, signaled the
birth of Rune Grammofon when he mentioned forming a
band with the three members of free jazz combo Veslefrekk.
The band would become Supersilent,
and their debut triple
album would be the first release of the label. Followed
another important release in the shape of Arne
Nordheim’s Electric, which documented
part of the seminal Norwegian classical composer’s
electronic work. Since, the label has grown at a steady
pace, away from the hustle and bustle of the mainstream,
exploring through its releases a wide range of experimental
music, from art-rock (Chocolate Overdose) to abstract
jazz (Food, Arve
Henriksen) to fully-fledged experimental improv
(Supersilent,
Spunk) or earthy electronica
(Alog, Monolight, Phonophani, Information,
Skyphone). Despite
the eclecticism of its catalogue, Rune Grammofon has
remained extremely focused on releasing quality music,
always beautifully packaged. Money Will Ruin Everything
is an extremely powerful and enlightening testament
of the label’s first five years. Deliberately
mixing genres with no clear thread or apparent order,
this album constantly shifts focus and throws expectations,
creating a true reflection of the work of these artists.
It would have been easy to simply collect tracks previously
released, yet this album presents a number of as yet
unreleased material, acting, perhaps, as a bridge between
the past and the future. The album also includes a handful
of tracks released by artists related to the label,
such as Kim Hiorthøy or Fe-mail,
yet released elsewhere. All this contributes to making
Money Will Ruin Everything a unique piece.
Everything here finds its rightful place, from the delicate
textures of Arve Henriksen’s
Sanmyaku or Tove Nilsen’s Fingerprint
to the sonic abstraction of Øivind Idsø’s
Masker, one half of Jazzkammer Lasse Marhaug’s
Fauske or Maja
Ratkje’s Intro and the beautiful
soundscapes of Biosphere’s
Colpa Mia, Information’s
Stacking Of Different Natures II or Skyphone’s
Kinamands Chance. So finely tuned is this selection
that it is utterly impossible to find any remotely dull
moment. The listener is constantly challenged, their
perceptions altered, their senses teased.
Proof that there are still people willing to explore
and share their findings, Money Will Ruin Everything
is defies all classifications to unleash some of the
most interesting music around. Five years after its
arrival on the music scene, Rune Grammofon shows no
sign of compromise, and clearly vows to continue uncovering
more new sonic areas and musical territories.
4.8/5 |
