Here we have the first of two live albums released this year from Norwegian instrumental jazz/prog outfit Elephant9 (the second was reviewed also recently) under the Psychedelic Backfire title, 1 & 2. On this set, it's the main trio of Ståle Storløkken (Hammond organ, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes, MiniMoog), bassist Nikolai Hængsle and drummer Torstein Lofthus, recorded live at Kampen Bistro, January 9 & 10, 2019. Featuring six exciting, rampaging tracks, this is jazz-fusion/prog played the way it should be, chock full of rumbling, complex rhythms and Storløkken's daring, exploratory keyboard excursions. The Hammond organ work is outstanding, images of Keith Emerson popping up on "Farmer's Secret" and the manic opener "I Cover the Mountain Top", while the lengthy 18+ minute "Habanera Rocket" starts off in spooky space rock/Pink Floyd fashion before morphing into a raucous Triumvirat styled Hammond organ jam. The fun doesn't end there, as you'll get treated to the frantic "Skink/fugl fonix", a wild jam littered with bombastic drumming & Hammond organ (Jon Lord and Ian Paice fans take note!), the HEAVY "Actionpack 1" (Deep Purple meets Mahavishnu Orchestra!), and the groovy, funk meets space rock/prog that is the closer "Dodovoodoo".
Once you've picked your jaw up off the floor, you'll be ready to hit repeat and enjoy this blistering live set all over again. Of course, don't stop here, please make sure you check out part 2 of this series, which features the trio along with guest guitarist Reine Fiske for some extra musical mayhem. Outstanding!
Track Listing
1) I Cover the Mountain Top
2) Farmer's Secret
3) Habanera Rocket
4) Skink/fugl fonix
5) Actionpack 1
6) Dodovoodoo
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