NATTFIOLEN

In the early Nineties a new wave of Skandinavian prog started to blossom, speerheaded by Anekdoten, Anglagard and Landberk, with in its slipstream bands from Sinkadus to White Willow. I had to think about that while listening to this new album from Norwegian formation Jordsjo, entitled Nattviolen. It is my first musical experience with Jordsjo but from the very first moment I felt familiar with the music, because it is typical Nineties Skandinavian prog rock, and I am a huge fan of early Anekdoten, Landberk and Anglagard.

The 3 longer tracks (between 6 and 10 minutes) alternate between dreamy with twanging acoustic guitars and flute to slow rhythms and bombastic eurptions, topped with wonderful vintage keyboards, like the Hammond, but especially the unsurpassed Mellotron (brass, violin and choir section). This is a bonus on this album, like the very pleasant native vocals. The 4 short tracks are instrumentals, from the very short Ouverture (tender flute and piano) to Septemberb'l (beautiful acoustic guitar play, evoking Dutch Flairck).

My highlights.

Solens Sirkul're Sang (7.39) : First a mellow atmosphere featuring dreamy flute, electric guitar and Hammond (Landberk comes to my mind). The native vocals really sound very pleasant. Now the mood shifts between dreamy and more dynamic and lush, with a spacey synthesizer solo, and the distinctive Mellotron and Hammond sound. Halfway a break with flute and propulsive guitar riffs. Then again between dreamy and more more bombastic, embellished with flute, Hammond and Mellotron, strongly evoking Anglagard. Finally a compelling build-up to a sumptuous grand finale featuring a majestic Mellotron choir sound, blended with Hammond and repetetive electric guitar leads, wow!

Mine Templer II (6.29) : It starts with a slow rhythm that contains delicate work on the Hammond and piano, along warm vocals. Gradually it becomes more dynamic, the flute joins, then Hammond and Mellotron, again with strong hints from Anglagard. Halfway dreamy with fragile electric guitar, Hammond and piano. Then an accellaration with sparkling piano and flute, topped with dynamic drums. In the final part a subtle jazzy electric guitar solo, with piano, and an exciting Hammond sound (tremolo and churchy), blended with again subtle work on the electric guitar.

Ulvenatt (5.45) : The final, instrumental composition is a wonderful goodbey from the band, pretty different from the other 6 tracks. In the first part a slow rhythm with sensitive electric guitar, soaring Hammond and delicate Mellotron drops. In the second part a strong build to a very compelling atmosphere with an intense electric guitar solo (in the vein of mellow Focus and Camel), including subtle bending and howling runs, blended with lush Hammond organ, goose bumps!

Jordsjo makes wonderful and melodic prog folk featuring that compelling Skandinavian touch, often embellished with the majestic Mellotron. Highly recommended!

This review was recently publihed on the Dutch progrock website Background Magazine, in a slightly different version.

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