Paal Nilssen-Love

If you already sensed that the free bop style played by Ken Vandermark has roots in rhythm 'n' blues, here is the recording that confirms your impression.

Listen and you'll hear electronics and traditional instruments not traditionally played. For example, there's a saxophone, but the controlled feedbacks originated aren't specific of the tube with holes and keys on it invented by Adolph Sax - it's really a saxomicrophone. The mic is part of the instrument, and without it those sounds wouldn't be possible.

It is not entirely clear to me what the title of "The Abstract Truth" refers to: a philosophical discussion on the nature of our thinking and knowledge of reality or a reference to Oliver Nelson's classic "The Blues And The Abstract Truth", with an implicit me

The association of trumpeter Magnus Broo with the Sten Sandell Trio was very much intended and searched for, giving continuity to another partnership in quartet: the one with John Butcher heard in the album “Strokes”. But something wasn't planned: the use of a Hammond B-3 organ.

Here is another record you have to buy: The Thing With Otomo Yoshihide: "Shinjuku Crawl" (Smalltown Superjazz 2009).

Documented at the end of their first tour, this is the first set of material recorded at their Bimhuis show on March 19th, 2008. The musicians began each concert as a duo (guitars or drums/reeds), then would continue as a quartet.

"If not ecstatic, we replay." An interesting statement and quite a kick-off to the Shinjuku Growl, a recent offering by The Thing with guest guitarist Jim O'Rourke.