This is my first experience of contemporary Norwegian jazz and I am quite excited. Hubro are a label that specialise in jazz and improvised music and in terms of artwork they have a strong identity. Most of the cover art seems to consist of ‘boring’ photographs from everyday life (a residential street here; a busy tram there) that remind me a little of Martin Parr’s images. Perhaps the idea is to convey ‘what lies underneath’? When you have scratched away the surface, something remarkable appears. Building Instrument thus have a derelict greenhouse with a forest growing out of it on the cover of their album.
The first remarkable thing you hear is the voice of Mari Kvien Brunvoll who sings in her native Molde dialect. I would describe it as existing somewhere in amongst Liz Fraser, Beth Gibbons and Bjork with a dab of Kate Bush thrown in for good measure. I shit you not. The use of live sampling helps to make the experience of hearing it completely mesmerising. The other key feature of this album is the use of melodica. At times it gives the album a relaxed, dubbed-out flavour even without the use of echo laden effects. In fact the use of melodica, kazoo and zither on this album conjure up a childlike atmosphere which belies the compelling musicianship on offer. Whether it is the aformentioned instruments, or synthesiser or drums, nothing sounds anything other than exactly as it should. Quite astonishing if you think this is improvised music.
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It seems a little simplistic to pick out individual tracks as this does in fact work as an album from start to finish (unusual in this day and age) but special mention should go to Bli Med which is simply immense and the haunting Alt E Bra. Every other track is both delightful and beautiful and at less than forty minutes you can never quite have your fill.
The only reason this doesn’t get full marks is because it is possible that people might find Mari’s vocals to be something of an acquired taste but also because I hope and expect them to go one better sometime although, like anyone else fortunate enough to have heard this, I hope I don’t have to wait another six years for the pleasure.
Hubro Music online
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