Ågren, Storløkken, Björkenheim, Dunn

Another exciting release from our favourite Norwegian contemporaries Rune Grammofon sees an incredible roster of improvisers get together for a special project. Curated by writer and film-maker Philip Mullarkey to record and play live as part of an art/film project entitled [Box] the quartet includes none other than Trevor Dunn of Fantômas, Marc Ribot, Electric Masada, Mr. Bungle fame on bass, Zappa drummer Morgan Ågren, Supersilent electronic wiz Ståle Storløkken on keys who also worked with Audun Kleive and Terje Isungset, and Raoul Björkenheim from Scorch Trio on guitar.

There were a few guidelines for [Box]. The musicians would have to meet and perform together for the first time in June 2007. No music would be scored prior to their meeting. No discussion on musical direction etc. would be entered into beforehand. Check.

Now, listening to the packaged release it totally beats me how they have managed to sound this tight without any focal point as there are some moments where it’s impossible to believe that everything is improvised, so complex and frentic. An unholy mixture of rock, jazz and electronics, “Studio 1″ clocks over 40 minutes featuring 6 untitled tracks. Unlike most of the improv scene output, it’s actually listenable (yes yes!) yet still managing to create a dark and otherworldly authentic sound without any regard to conventional song formats. Just check out the improv jam on “Untitled 7″!

Box - Untitled 11
Box - Untitled 7