Nordsnø Ensemble are an intriguing proposition. An award-winning Octet based in Germany – they fuse contemporary jazz with the influence of Scandinavian folkloric tradition. On this, their third full-length album, they team up with British pianist and organist Kit Downes, who plays a church organ throughout the set.
Ett Omaka Par, recorded across two days at Philippus and Rimbert Church in Hamburg during 2022 is a beguiling fusion of sounds. Otherworldly and atmospheric soundscapes merge with jazz fundamentals, the organ work of Downes and often mystical and entrancing vocals in Swedish from Anna Berglund. It’s an immersive record with the capacity to surprise and delight as compositions are often pushed to conclusions that can seem unexpected at their outset.
The album kicks off with Början, a deeply experimental track that starts with droning ambient atmospherics, before spoken word vocals from Berglund give the impression of a Nordic fable. The full ensemble joins the piece part way through to drive it to a heady conclusion.
Hopp is fuelled by a lilting melody and a folksy atmosphere, before Tvivel brings the role of Kit Downes to the fore. At other points on the album, his organ work augments the sounds laid down by the band – but here it takes the lead, blaring and shrieking out of the speakers. It’s a jarring sonic blast after the softer tones of Hopp, that demonstrates perfectly the versatility and creativity that’s created by these nine musicians. Once the band come in after the five-minute mark, the track morphs into a fusion of modern classical and jazz elements.
Following on from the churning experimentalism Tvivel, we’re given Tro, which is one of the most restrained and beautiful moments on the album, combining the lilting piano of Sandro Saez Eggers with Downes’ rich and emotive organ playing.
Elsewhere, Midnattssol provides one of album’s most direct compositions, bringing together cycling piano phrases, skittering drums and punchy guitar to great effect. While album closer Slutet features more spoken word vocals before the exploratory playing of Downes and comes in. An element of bossa nova then works its way into the mix, with some rousing brass work from brothers Vincent and Ken Dombrowski on saxophone and trombone respectively.
One of the triumphs of this record is its sequencing. On paper, the stylistic jumps, shifts of mood and combinations of influences could sound jarring – however the elements all come together to make the overall effect all the more intoxicating.
The compositions evoke everything from the ecclesiastical setting of the record’s birth, to shadowy corners of a Scandinavian forest. For a record that leans in so many directions and embraces so many influences, it is remarkably focused.
On Ett Omaka Par, Nordsnø Ensemble serve up an entrancing and deeply experimental collaboration with Kit Downes. By fusing such an unusual range of influences, they create something that has familiar touchpoints, while building a sonic world all its own. Highly recommended.
ARTISTS
Anna Berglund – vocal
Vincent Dombrowski – saxophone, flute, arrangements
Ken Dombrowski – trombone, bass trumpet
Lucy Liebe – guitar
Sandro Sáez Eggers – piani
Vincent Niessen – bass
Lukas Schwegmann – percussion
Johannes Metzger – drums
with Kit Downes on the 1995 Lobback organ of the Philippus and Rimbert Church, Hamburg-Horn
