TERJE RYPDAL

Terje Rypdal's second album is filled with inventive soundscapes which are often eerie in nature. I usually say that if it's a rainy day it's time to put on some Rypdal, but this album is best listened to at night.

A beat comes in before a minute on "Keep It Like That-Tight" as guitar sounds come and go. Horns join in at 6 minutes and Jan Garbarek is outstanding here. It settles with piano before 9 minutes. Abrasive guitar follows as piano continues.Terje is lighting it up here. What a way to start ! "Rainbow" is a funny title for such a spooky track. An eerie atmosphere falls on this soundscape and it doesn't leave. Different sounds come and go including flute on this 7 minute ride into darkness.

"Electric Fantasy" opens with atmosphere. Drums, bass and haunting female vocal melodies after a minute.The vocals are repeated over and over. Very cool sounding. Guitar, bass and keys before 9 minutes then Terje starts to rip it up 10 1/2 minutes in. Vocal melodies are back 13 1/2 minutes in. "Lontano II" is dark with creepy sounds coming and going. "Tough Enough" has this guitar melody that is repeated on and off until the guitar starts to solo after 2 minutes. The bass is prominant too. It then settles back 3 1/2 minutes in. This is my least favourite track and almost feels like it doesn't belong.

5 stars for this dark beauty from 1971. Man I love his style.