The phrase 'Norwegian experimental jazz' may not inspire enthusiasm in these hallowed (if intangible) halls of rock and roll. Jaga Jazzist would like to change that. The band began way back in 1994 while songwriters Lars and Martin Horntveth were in high school. Despite this considerable time together as a band (and the 30-odd members they've had between '94 and today), their new album One Armed Bandit is the band's fifth LP to date, which has come at the end of five years away from recording as a full band. While a few have left to become doctors, others to start new bands, a nine piece has emerged from the hiatus with an album full of madness and wonder.

Jaga Jazzist has a sound that's difficult to neatly place within a genre, as their style can change dramatically from song to song, even between choruses. There's a progressive quality to them, the title track has a distinct Rick Wakeman meets Jethro Tull feel.  If you hate the sound of that, don't worry - the album, like Melbourne weather, changes its mind every three or four minutes. It may have been this quality that attracted John McEntire (acclaimed producer and member of post-rock legends Tortoise) to assist with production, and there are flourishes of his work here and there amongst the instrumental lines careening across each other. The effect is not unlike standing beneath a busy footbridge, and through some astonishing coincidence, the seemingly random conversations begin to flow together as one.

One of the things Jaga Jazzist does better than almost anyone else is incorporate a diverse range of sounds, and have them sound made to be together. There's free jazz, afrobeat and electro all playing nicely together, strung through with a very-nearly-dancable funkyness. The Mars Volta have mentioned that they're huge fans on multiple occasions, but this is no endless meander across the guitar - Jazzist are a group with impeccable craft. Take "Prognissekongen" (which translates roughly as 'King Of The Prog Nerds') for example, a jangly guitar intro melds into a post rock drum beat, which moves into keys and horns, then a dense synth and harp combo before settling on a piano freak out in a little over four-and-a-half minutes.

There is something to be said for keeping a nine piece band under control, and they're all incredibly talented musicians. Every so often though there's this sense that they're trying just that little bit too hard, that their obsession to detail sometimes detracts from the punch of the music. Considering the overall quality of the album this is a very minor quibble, and everyone,  from fans of electronic music like Flying Lotus to modern jazz enthusiasts, should give this a try.

Review Score: 8/10 

[Photo: Steven Haberland
- www.stevenhaberland.com]