Tuomo Haapala - Sonic Poems. Released June 2020.

NEWS

- The production of The Electric MZ's third vinylalbum has finally started! These days the delivery times are extremely long, but if everything goes as expected it should be ready for release somewhere at the turn of month October/November. Meanwhile you may listen to an extract of "Dawn" from the forthcoming album:

https://soundcloud.com/einnicken/dawn-excerpt?si=24056283b610401b861e6e034f28c657

- Two very fine reviews of Nods Off's album "Intro: Version" (2021) featuring Stefan Wistrand (saxes), Tommy Skotte (double bass) and Erik Dahlbäck (drums): 

The Sound Projector, December 14, 2021

"An interesting example of tape digging has come to light recently involving the Swedish avant jazz unit Nods Off, who have had three distinct incarnations since forming in the early nineties. Summer ’98 saw the original band imploding and, to fulfil a number of forthcoming gigs, bandleader/saxist Stefan Wistrand enlisted Tommy Skotte (ex Brötzmann sideman) on acoustic bass and Drummer Erik Dahlback (ex Red Mitchell/Per Henrik Wallin Trio) for Nods Off, Mark Two. A couple of years later, that line-up too, went ka-boom, when gigs in their homeland became too thin on the ground to contemplate further band activity. After that, Wistrand successfully helmed another set-up, but… sandwiched between all of this action and inaction, one can find Intro : Version, a live disc from 1999.

Aside from the Coxhill v Bennink thrust of “The Get Out” and “Dedication” (nearly ruined by audience natter), which are re-worked on further recordings, the remaining tracks are solely exclusive to this release. We start with the title track, its urgent squawk/clattering comes topped with a monstrous double bass salvo, sounding for all the world as if Skotte’s technique also includes deft mastery of “The Pliers”, liberated from the roadie’s toolbox when he wasn’t looking. After those still glowing remnants were cordoned off, the oddly named “Frebo-Di-Hali” makes its entrance. This finds Wistrand firmly in the driving seat with his full-bodied tenor sax embracing the twin worlds of the semi-lyrical and the frenetic. During which, an arco bass menacingly stalks the surrounding band perimeters, successfully deterring any further audience chit chat. “Combination #2” and “Jazzin’ Chair” are more marginally buttoned-down compositions, and at times, swing purposefully, perhaps referencing sixties ESP choreography.

…”Recorded at ‘Memento’, Eskilstuna and produced by M. Mori…” it says here. Now that jokey slice of Latin gallows punning is a curious thing, as there’s not one jot of miserabilism here, just a top-notch display of high octane, skronked-out jazz."

Kulturdelen, July 15, 2021

"This album goes for a knock out. Nods Off is the slightly cryptic name of the trio that plays; cryptic because nod off roughly means to doze off - and you certainly can not blame the members for doing so. And there is no risk that the listener will do the same. Anyone looking for jazz for a cozy home evening will of course be absolutely horrified. This is modern jazz with high pressure that goes seamlessly from free form to sharp rhythm, but which also knows that atmospheric oases are required along the way. Stefan Wistrand is responsible for the compositions that allow these richly varied and exciting expressions. He himself plays saxophone with glowing and expressive intensity, qualities that also characterize Tommy Skotte's heavy bass and Erik Dahlbäck's aggressively driving drumming.

The recording is from a concert in 1999, and it's just to be thankful that they finally picked it up and immortalized it on CD. The music on the album has its roots in Wistrand's experimental "Sturm und Drang period" in the 1970s, and it is only to agree with his own description of the music as "uncombed and out on an adventure". No one should mourn that the comb was forgotten on the bathroom shelf when the trio left to play at Klubb Memento in Eskilstuna. It must have been an evening to remember.

Nods Off in this constellation lasted for two years but gave up due to lack of gigs. It's just to apologize but says something about the then Swedish jazz scene. But I do not know if they did better today. The album convinces me anyway that they must have been one of the 90's more exciting Swedish jazz groups. The music still feels wonderfully free and raw and much more modern and urgent than much of what is produced today. It is cheeky and does not fear the caesars of music who prefer smooth-combed people who sleep well at night." (Kulturdelen, July 15, 2021)

(Link to the review in Swedish on Kulturdelen's site)

- Link to a live recording by The Electric MZ from Närke Kulturbryggeri in Örebro in October 2018.

- Link to a live video by The Electric MZ from Melodybox in Stockholm in April 2018.

- You'll find previous Electric MZ albums at the following stores:

Eskilstuna: Zombie Records (Djurgårdsvägen 1)

Stockholm: Andra Jazz (Rödabergsgatan 9), Record Mania (Östgötagatan 2), Nostalgipalatset (S:t Eriksgatan 101) and runtrunt (Odengatan 90).

Uppsala: Open Mind (S:t Larsgatan 8 B)

CONCERTS & EVENTS

2022

Friday, May 6 

The Electric MZ @ private event 

Wednesday, June 29, 7 p.m.

Wistrand/Rytzler Quartet @ Norr, Eskilstuna

Wednesday, July 27, 12 p.m.

Wistrand/Rytzler Quartet @ Östra Torget, Torshälla

2021

Saturday, May 22, 5 p.m.

Wistrand/Rytzler Duo @ Norr, Eskilstuna

Friday, May 28, 6 p.m.

Stefan Wistrand @ Passage, Eskilstuna

Saturday, May 29, 5 p.m.

Wistrand/Rytzler Duo @ Norr, Eskilstuna

Saturday, June 6, 5 p.m.

Wistrand/Rytzler Duo @ Norr, Eskilstuna

Wednesday, August 11, 6 p.m.

Wistrand/Rytzler Quintet @ Norr, Eskilstuna

Saturday, August 21

Wistrand/Rytzler Trio @ private event

Friday, December 10, 7 p.m.

Stefan Wistrand @ Passage, Eskilstuna

Friday, December 17, 7 p.m.

Wistrand/Rytzler Duo @ Passage, Eskilstuna

DOWNLOADS

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LISTEN

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