MASQUALERO — Masqualero (review)

MASQUALERO — Masqualero album cover Album · 1983 · Nu Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
snobb
Bassist Arild Andersen and drummer Jon Christensen are a couple of the more respectable Norwegian jazz musicians and became well-known in the early 70s as the rhythm section for the Jan Garbarek band. Over the next few decades they collaborated on many albums, released some solo material and became ECM "house musicians".

In the early 80s Arild and Jon founded a new project with three Norwegian new-generation artists - the still unknown trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer, sax player Tore Brunborg and pianist Jon Balke. Their first release (on Odin label)gave the name to their project - "Masqualero".

Fourteen years later Molvaer will become the nu jazz star with his debut "Khmer", but in realty, the roots of his future sound can be easily found here on Masqualero's debut.

This album's music is not much different from the characteristic sound of Nordic jazz of the time - aerial cool melodic compositions with well-framed structure, lot of reeds soloing over the electric piano and near-rock rhythm. Some compositions are seriously influenced by electric Miles, others are more accessible and sound closer to relaxed fusion of the 80s. But looking from now, there are myriads of Molvaer's future nu jazz elements in this album's music.

The original vinyl contains 9 compositions, while the later CD re-release is 14 songs long. Being more a transitional release without strong direction, this album is a bit bulky and not essential enough, but has its moments and is really interesting, especially as one quite rare innovative jazz work coming from the early 80s. To listen to the nu jazz ideas started on this album but developed in full, go to Molvaer's debut.
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