TARKA

Great spirit here! Not long ago I stumbled across this band from Norway which is still on the road nowadays. They just (2010) have released an album consisting of 'old' recordings from 1982/83. 'Tarka' comprises a relaxed psych/space ambience, coupled with a reasonable jazz/fusion and krautrock/ethno touch though. This ís carefully produced while provided with a balanced proportion of composition and improvisation - due to some overdubs very entertaining although this a three-headed group only. So first to say, the music is not randomly issued I'm sure, it's a well thought out concept to state.

The album is wrapped, rounded by the two Vata tracks showing thumb piano excursions and ambient/spacey synth patterns. Stygian Walls on the other hand has been worked out with the typical nordic melancholic mood in the likes of Terje Rypdal. The lengthy centerpiece Yatantah is divided in three sections and more of a jammig outfit with a haunting repetitive bass line. Where Part 1 and Part 3 are primarily heavier edged, the middle section comes more with a jazzy/spacey vibe - irresistible guitar work provided by Ronald Nygård, electric as well as acoustic. Causa Sui are able to deliver such an impressing vibe too.

Furthermore they take some steps towards more experimental fields including some emphasis on diverse cymbal instruments. Where the meandierung Hesperus works with an eclectic touch reminiscent to King Crimson Cinta is full of melancholy, even other-worldly somehow, like common krautrock stuff. Durra Durra then holds an oriental percussion drive, basically relaxed but then - fascinating - it gets out of control a bit in between, Hasse Horrigmoe's bass loses his bearing so to say. No problem though because at some point they get together again.

Reminding me of Weather Report, spheric impressions on Verbina are opening for the relaxed grooving Eidolon - once again provided with tribal percussion and excellent cosmic guitars. 'Tarka' offers roundabout one hour of entertaining, varied music - Terje Rypdal's spirit is present here and there, a lot of interesting stuff to explore. Although ... or maybe even because I have noted many references to other artists this is an impressing album according to my taste - 4.5 stars.

TANGLE EDGE are a trio out of Norway of guitar, bass and drums, but they also have a strong ethnic vibe as we get tibetian bells, kalimba and chinese gongs. Plus electronics, mellotron and marimba. Their first album "In Search Of The New Dawn" was released in 1989 and we get the same three piece lineup on the first five studio albums. Although that third one "Eulogy" which I haven't heard is the only one with a fourth member credited and he plays flute and sax. That would be an interesting one to hear and I know one person who's opinion I respect names that '93 release as his favourite from them.

"Tarka" followed that one and this is my favourite record by them released in 1997. The drummer left after that fifth studio album and it all seemed to go downhill after that with three straight sub-par albums starting with '06's "Serpentry Quarters" which is poor to say the least. Now their most recent one from 2021 called "Cispirios" has their original drummer back, but I haven't heard it, although I'm hopeful that it's a return to form after that eleven year break. Ronald Nygard the guitarist is quite the player. We get some angular styled guitar from him but mostly this is fast picking or soaring leads, but he's always impressive, as is the bass player. Man he drives the music at times.

So thirteen tracks over almost 63 minutes. The album opens and closes with the wind blowing. The whole first track of 3 minutes is windy with not much else happening. That continues into the second track although when the angular guitar arrives, it leaves. My favourite section is the three part "Yatantah" suite worth over 20 minutes. The bass is so repetitive but that's the joy of this piece. Also the guitar is repetitive even though it changes slightly during each of the three sections. I can't get enough of this. Some ripping guitar here along with fast and fluid sections.

Besides the suite my next favourite song is "Eidolon" at close to 8 1/2 minutes. An adventure this one with some different ideas. It ends with wind only that continues into the closer. This has been a pleasure to re-visit this past week. One of my favourites from 1997, and like the two reviews ahead of me I too give this 4.5 stars. A special release.