Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: This work by Alf Emil Eik is a serene and soothing soundtrack for moments of relaxation, meditation or peaceful ambience. Eik's ethereal melodies transport listeners to a realm of inner peace and timeless beauty. Each track blends intricate layers of sound and evokes serenity and wonder while the harmonies resonate deeply within your soul. Uplifting yet introspective, the music invites reflection on the beauty of life and the mysteries of existence. A fusion of classical, ambient and new age influences abound here and prove Eik to be a master composer.

Review: Elephant9, renowned for their electrifying live performances, continues to impress with their upcoming double live album, Catching Fire, recorded during a remarkable 2017 concert in Oslo to celebrate Terje Rypdal's 70th birthday. This release, available on double vinyl through Rune Grammofon, adds to the band's impressive discography, which includes multiple studio albums and live recordings. Catching Fire shares a visceral energy reminiscent of classic live albums from Mahavishnu Orchestra, ELP, and King Crimson, combining moments of intense improvisation with serene interludes. The 22-minute opening track showcases Rypdal's distinctive, glacier-like melodic lines, demonstrating his mastery and unique approach. His synergy with Stale Storlokken, who has supported him for nearly 30 years, creates an inseparable musical dialogue, while the rhythm section of Torstein Lofthus and Nikolai Haengsle ensures a solid, dynamic foundation. With its careful mix aiming to capture the live concert experience, Catching Fire is poised to be a highlight for fans. The world of Norwegian jazz prog never sounded better.

Review: Embryo, the music collective from Germany, rekindle the flaming title of "one of the most important German jazz-rock bands from the 1970s" with a brand new mini-LP on Sonarama. A neat collection of unreleased ethno-jazz from 1979-80, its rediscovery in the archives captures the band's formerly-only-hazily documented journey across Afghanistan, North Africa and the Near/Middle East, documenting the German supertroupe's late-career collabs with regional outfits, such as the Kabul Radio Orchestra and players from Eritrea, Syria, Morocco and Iraq. Blending trad melodies with free-flowing improv, this touring jazz explosion flaunts the many scalene modes native to such places; their provenance is esoteric and difficult to track down.

Review: Rocksession, released in 1973, is a standout entry in Embryo's extensive discography, showcasing their unique fusionf of jazz, rock, and ethnic influences. Known for their innovative approach, Embryo, led by Christian Burchard, created a captivating blend of space rock and traditional sounds. This album, the fifth in their catalogue, is notable for its improvisational spirit and eclectic mix, reflecting the band's ongoing evolution. The album features a lineup that includes Siegfried Schwab on guitar, Jimmy Jackson on organ, Mal Waldron on electric piano, Edgar Hofmann on saxophone and violin, Jorg Evers and Dave King on bass, and Burchard on drums. Rocksession comprises four tracks, each demonstrating the band's dexterity and musical breadth. The opener, 'A Place To Go,' is divided into two segments: the first is characterised by dense percussion and a fusion of Oriental and European sounds, while the second features prominent bass lines and vibrant solos. 'Entrances' is a dynamic improvisation that merges rock energy with jazz refinement, highlighted by engaging solos and interactive performances from the musicians. 'Warm Canto' offers a subtler mood, enriched by vibraphone, organ, and violin, with touches of blues and jazz. The closing track, 'Dirge,' builds tension gradually with its rhythmic intensity and extensive solo'. The album embodies the experimental spirit of 1970s German progressive rock and jazz fusion, presenting a rich, timeless sound. For those looking to explore Embryo's innovative approach, Rocksession serves as a compelling introduction to their influential and eclectic style.