TERJE RYPDAL - Conspiracy
ECM 089 5911
Terje Rypdal (electric guitar); Ståle Storløkken (keyboards); Endre Hareide Hallre (fretless bass, Fender Precision); Pål Thowsen (drums, percussion)
Recorded February 2019
Over the years Rypdal has been a regular performer for ECM, having made his debut for the imprint 50 years ago on Jan Garbarek's 1970 album, Afric Pepperbird, and making his debut recording as leader the following year. It is therefore surprising to note that this is the guitarists first new studio album for the label in two decades. The wait was well worth it, and makes a most agreeable change to the live and studio compilations that have made up his recent output.
So, what we are presented with here is a new album with a new group, Conspiracy is not only the album title and a composition, but also the name of the new ensemble; and a set of all new material that paradoxically has the gentle hint of nostalgia, while sounding futuristic and managing to occupy the space in between. The six compositions all sound remarkably fresh and exciting with Rypdal remaining faithful to his signature sound on the Fender Stratocaster. This familiarity is reassuringly to the fore on the stunning opening number, 'As If The Ghost... Was Me!?', as intensely atmospheric piece as if the guitarist was pondering the ghosts of his past and what the future might hold.
Indeed, it could be said that what the future might hold is pretty clearly defined in the pieces that follow, and that show the strength of this new group as they explore the compositions presented to them. 'Conspiracy' is the hard-edged number of the set with the group digging in deep with powerful performances from drummer, Pål Thowsen and the leader himself with his playing displaying some wild abandon. This is immediately followed by 'By His Lonesome', a ballad that features the young bassist, Endre Hareide Hallre, who makes the most of the opportunity offered to him with a stunningly beautiful performance. Keyboard player, Ståle Storløkken is never short of something interesting to say, as on his solo on the aforementioned title track, and his interplay with Rypdal on 'Baby Beautiful' is breath taking.
I have sometimes found with Rypdal that I can take him or leave him, and on a good day can get totally immersed in his playing. This is a good day and definitely an album to cherish, and with each repeated hearing puts the listener in a place that they are happy to inhabit.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 089 5911
Terje Rypdal (electric guitar); Ståle Storløkken (keyboards); Endre Hareide Hallre (fretless bass, Fender Precision); Pål Thowsen (drums, percussion)
Recorded February 2019
Over the years Rypdal has been a regular performer for ECM, having made his debut for the imprint 50 years ago on Jan Garbarek's 1970 album, Afric Pepperbird, and making his debut recording as leader the following year. It is therefore surprising to note that this is the guitarists first new studio album for the label in two decades. The wait was well worth it, and makes a most agreeable change to the live and studio compilations that have made up his recent output.
So, what we are presented with here is a new album with a new group, Conspiracy is not only the album title and a composition, but also the name of the new ensemble; and a set of all new material that paradoxically has the gentle hint of nostalgia, while sounding futuristic and managing to occupy the space in between. The six compositions all sound remarkably fresh and exciting with Rypdal remaining faithful to his signature sound on the Fender Stratocaster. This familiarity is reassuringly to the fore on the stunning opening number, 'As If The Ghost... Was Me!?', as intensely atmospheric piece as if the guitarist was pondering the ghosts of his past and what the future might hold.
Indeed, it could be said that what the future might hold is pretty clearly defined in the pieces that follow, and that show the strength of this new group as they explore the compositions presented to them. 'Conspiracy' is the hard-edged number of the set with the group digging in deep with powerful performances from drummer, Pål Thowsen and the leader himself with his playing displaying some wild abandon. This is immediately followed by 'By His Lonesome', a ballad that features the young bassist, Endre Hareide Hallre, who makes the most of the opportunity offered to him with a stunningly beautiful performance. Keyboard player, Ståle Storløkken is never short of something interesting to say, as on his solo on the aforementioned title track, and his interplay with Rypdal on 'Baby Beautiful' is breath taking.
I have sometimes found with Rypdal that I can take him or leave him, and on a good day can get totally immersed in his playing. This is a good day and definitely an album to cherish, and with each repeated hearing puts the listener in a place that they are happy to inhabit.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
