This is a CD/DVD of live recordings from this Swedish group. The main members of the band are Mats Oberg on keyboards and Morgan Agren on drums. They started playing together as teenagers and have been together for over 25 years. Their music is influenced by jazz, classical, progressive rock, Magma, Frank Zappa, and jazz-fusion. The CD has live recordings from 2005 to 2007. Most of the songs are very complex and are not in your standard 4/4 time. Many of the songs seem to have large improvised parts in them allowing the musicians to display their musical talents. Mats uses a full range of keyboard sounds creating a very full sound. Morgan's drumming at times reminded me of Terry Bozzio's playing, where they play melodies and rhythm at the same time. He also changes where he accents the beats quite often and this gives a lot of color to his playing. You will definitely have to listen very closely to catch everything that is going because is not easy listening jazz.
The highlight of this package for me is the DVD. The DVD was put together by Morgan Argen and concentrates on this drumming. There are over 70 video clips ranging from live and studio recordings to behind the scenes, a singing dog and even Mr. Malmsteen. There are videos of the Mats/ Morgan Band, Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart tribute bands, Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) and other jazz ensembles. There are some really good close up shots of Morgan playing the drum so can see what he exactly doing. He definitely has is own style and adds a lot to the music he plays from jazz to metal. I could not recommend this DVD enough to anyone that plays drums or enjoys them, but if you are someone that is bored by drum solos you may want to looks elsewhere. One amazing drummer!
Track Listing
1. The Return of Advokaten
2. Rhinecliff Hotel
3. Mats Jingle
4. Pulse
5. Frills
6. Tvingle
7. Watch Me Pleasure
8. Hermetoast
9. The Bosendorfer Of Advokaten
10. Riff At Play
11. Truvas Rumba
12. Cry Of Laika
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