Erlend Apneseth Trio - Det Andre Rommet

by Keith How

published: 3 / 7 / 2016

Label: Hubro
Format: CD

Otherworldly and enigmatic debut album from improvisational Norwegian jazz act, the Erlend Apneseth Trio

Review

“The Hardanger fiddle is more than just a violin: the tradition links its origins to the supernatural. Norwegian legends and fairy tales are filled with references to otherworldly and subterranean creatures that carry a violin.” So writes Luca Vitali in his splendid book, 'The Sound of the North, Norway and the European Jazz Scene'. My first encounter with this amazing instrument came by accident as I discovered the wonderful 'Monograph' by Nils Oakland (ECM 2069). Oakland, I discovered, is a master of the Hardanger fiddle. More recently Oakland formed a trio under the name Lumen Drones (E.C.M. 2434). Their self-titled album took the sound of the fiddle into a new dimension with a series of improvisations that, while keeping the traditional sound alive, forged a new path into almost post rock territory.(Do check this album out!) Norway’s flourishing jazz scene seems to know no boundaries straying into unknown territories alien to “jazz” - Rock, folk and improvisation are all mixed into a melting pot with such labels as Rune Grammofon and Hubro going where others fear to tread. Familiar names that might ring a bell include Jan Gabarek and Terje Rypdal. Emerging from that scene is Hardanger fiddle player Erlend Apnesth who while being engaged in the Norwegian folk tradition began to move into a period of exploration by forming a trio with Stephan Meidall (electric guitar and electronics) and Oyvind Hegg-Lunde on drums. Meidall and Hegge-Lunde had worked together before Apneseth invited them to join his new venture. The results of their adventures now appear on the Hubro label as 'Det Andre Rommet'. This series of improvisations really capture an otherworldly atmosphere of mystery and magic and reflects the intuitive connection between the trio. As an improvising artist will make a mark here and there or make an unexpected brush stroke elsewhere and then add subtle tones and colours on the canvas, so it is on this beautiful album as the musicians intuitively respond to each other and make their own impressions. Those of us addicted to Scandinavian dramas found on our televisions will immediately connect with the minimal sparse landscapes created here as we journey deep into the folk-infused sounds. The plucking and scraping of the strings, electric atmospheres and strange echoing noises come to life. The fiddle moans and whispers often hinting at wandering ancient spirits are reflected in sounds squeezed from the eight strings as they rise and fall intertwining with the guitar and percussion. These compositions echo the sense of otherworldliness Vitali mentions in his book. Folk dance motifs seem to ebb and flow together while notes that are seemingly hewn from old stones groan and sigh. There is nothing fast here and the feeling of splendid isolation is never far away. Imagine watching a fishing boat sailing along a forgotten fiord or a snowfall covering a deep forest in a silent landscape, as this is the soundtrack. The ambience is indeed calling up the spirits of the mountains and lost valleys calling you away to another kingdom where Norway’s traditional past meets the new world. 'Det Andre Rommet' is strange, beguiling and mysterious.