REVIEWS [p]

Plunge. Refreshingly Addictive. (Kopasetic KOPACD014)

Definitely refreshing and probably addictive too. The whole album was improvised live in front of an audience at Gula Studios, Sweden in Jan '08 and the atmospherics (imagine Sweden in the middle of Winter) are deep and fantasy-like. Extreme restraint in the opening title track with Andreas Andersson on baritone sax demonstrating a mature passion and rich sensitivity leading the soft, funky bass and drum (with added gongs) on a thought provoking eleven and a half minutes. A sensitive artistic synergy continues with an added lyricism through into 'Chant' and 'Askew' hints tastefully at a genre known in some parts as jazz. Peter Nilsson opens with shaking shells on 'Moveable' allowing the sax to deliver a melancholic monologue which in turn allows the bass (Mattias Hjorth) to open right out and the three engage in deep conversation. 'Involvement' is my favorite piece - a beautiful, understated, gently rolling, rich drum solo making me want to pick up sticks. 'The Zurich Effect' at a healthy seventeen and a half minutes allows for some serious listening as this session really got into the swing of timeless, effortless experimentation; all credit to an attentative audience whose obliging presence can almost be felt through some of the most minimal and introspective moments, the playing remaining superior and clean throughout.
The strength of this album lies in it's sensitive colours and the almost primitive, non-technical approach from these excellent musicians who are clearly capable of great skill. But like the sleeve in it's slightly psychedelic photo of a road apparently stopping abruptly at beautiful bright pink trees, there has to be a point where technical prowess gives way to the point of pure appreciation and admiration. The last note says it all.

Kopasetic