What is Puma? This young Norwegian trio started out as a jazz trio, and they all studied at jazz conservatories. They also fit in numerous other projects, such as Jaga Jazzist, Bushman’s Revenge and Westerhus recently joined Nils Petter Molværs‘ new trio. As Intro winners (Norwegian award for young jazz muzicians) in 2006 they where also given oppportunities to go on tour with noise artist Lasse Marhaug. In recent years they have been regarded as leading talents of the Norwegian improvisional scene.
Although Half Nelson Courtship is divided into 10 tracks, the album works as a whole, almost a suite that moves into various aspects of the sonic palette Puma wishes to explore. There is a highly experimental feel to it, but in many senses also inspired by 70s progressive bands of the more experimental kind. King Crimson around ’73 is mentioned in the press release, and is not much off the mark; Earthbound comes to my mind on some occasions. But they are of course more freeform, almost at times as free as the most intricate Frith could be. But they also explore and varies a lot between…
Fast.
Easy.
Slow.
Siren.
Kraut.
Jingle.
Glitch.
Organ.
Guitar.
Heavy.
Drums.
Sacred.
Naked.
Reverb.
Virtous.
Panned.
Looped.
Organic.
Harbour.
Difficult.
Screech.
Ambient.
Freeform.
Feedback.
Industrial.
Incredible.
Symphonic.
Power tools.
Minor moods.
Wailing guitars.
Gilmour stretch.
KC but no Fripp.
Rhythm. N. Soul.
Symphonic guitar.
Plinkety-plonkety.
Birds, but no birds.
Growls, but no animals.
Sonic fantastic universe.
Subtle noisy strangeness.
Drums random..ly structured.
Loud high pitch and waves of wind.
Will I play it again? Yes, I will play it again.
Whoutcha!
-Ronny Wærnes-
