WHENEVER I SEEM TO BE FAR AWAY

Staying in 1974, and Rypdal would release another solo effort, definitely his most ambitious one among his first few albums.''Whenever I seem to be far away'' was another ECM product, featuring again Sveinung Hovensjo on electric bass and Jon Christensen, this time only on percussion, while the picture are entering Odd Ulleberg on French horn and Peter Knutsen on Mellotron and electric piano, a founding member of Popol Ace.Moreover Rypdal would collaborate with the Suedfunk Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart, conducted by Mladen Gutesha.

Forget about Rypdal's deep experimental and highly minimalistic efforts of the past, here the style is more energetic, passionate and intense, even if there are plenty of improvisations and laid-back moments to be found.Clocking at 14 minutes, ''Silver bird is heading for the sun'' is an emphatic opener of psychedelic Fusion with Rypdal non-stop guitar torturing in a loose style over a fair dose of electric piano and some interruptions for the French horn of Ulleberg to be called.Jazzy rhythms, hypnotic psychedelia and angular guitar solos all the way, but the surprise comes from the cinematic Mellotron injections of Knutsen towards an even more sinister and cosmic atmosphere.The following ''The hunt'' lies somewhere between Jazz Orchestra stylings and Symphonic/Psychedelic Rock, opening with a more melodic sound due to the crying horn lines, but becoming a rich, orchestrated piece along the way with an omnipresent Mellotron and the abstract guitar/bass/drums beats of Rypdal, Hovensjo and Christensen.Entering the flipside, the 18-min. title-track, featuring Christian Hedrich on viola and Helmut Geiger on violin, is a different story.1/3 goes for cosmic, orchestral music, like coming out of a Soundtrack, with only the apparent presence of strings and wind instruments, before Rypdal enters the picture with his slow, atmospheric guitar.He supports the orchestra with his occasional electric solos, but the bulk of this track is dedicated to the pessimistic yet dreamy orchestrations of the Germans.Mellow stuff, which still has some weird, inner dynamics.

Unique work, which contains elements of symphonic, Classical, Jazz and Rock Music.Atmospheric, instrumental, multi-colored palletes, delivered in smooth arrangements.Recommended.