Norwegian producer Martin Hontveth is probably best known for his time spent in Jaga Jazzist, but besides the odd collaboration he has recently been ploughing his efforts into Gouldian Finch, a means for him to explore various musical back alleys along with a raft of friendly co-conspirators including Andre Roligheten, Håkon Aase and Ole Morton Vågan.
In fact there are ten players including Martin to bring this eclectic selection to life and sees the assembled throng veering through jazz, prog, psych and funk with what can only be described as aplomb. In fact, there is little opportunity for respite over this fifty-five-minute blast and each song seems to consist of numerous parts; some segues sympathetic while others are unexpected.
There is all manner of brass here along with keyboards, reeds, violin and percussion and the songs have the kind of lengths that allow the players to function as a kind of tag team with lead instruments ceding control just as they start to feel comfortable. It is ADHD music and perhaps the title of the album does go some way to explaining the mood.
In contrast, “Schizo” itself starts off with an early morning frosty violin, itchy electro synth and bird-like soprano sax all patiently embroidering the backdrop. The fact that the sweetness is muscled out the way by the sinuous harmony of the rhythm is surprising. Later distorted transmissions from planet funk abound just to throw us off.
The album continues like this with the trumpet and piano combo on “Polaroid” and its hesitant and speculative soundtrack vibe giving way to the cheery ’70s detective theme jazzy electro synths of “Guilty Pleasure”. In fact they even add some shadowy violin to “Polaroid” and the endless tag team closes out with a lachrymose soprano and electronics duet.
The resonant scorch of desert guitar on “No Filter” is a revelation and opens up a whole new vista; but they grow bored once again and a steppy funky groove breaks in and carries the song away into some weird rutting stag soundbath. The guitar motif continues to echo though and its impact is greater like some half-remembered dream, the sensation of which continues in closer “Minidisc” with its seahorse synth rhythm and watery psychedelic churn. This track is even more of a trip, passing through myriad visions before letting us off like we have been riding the most convoluted roller coaster.
There is more to discover with every listen and it is like some dense tapestry that requires a bit of perspective before immersing yourself again and that will be absolutely essential.-Mr Olivetti-
