snobb
Swedish sax player Mats Gustafsson is one of most respectable avant jazz player in Europe during last decade. His roots are deep in punk-jazz band The Thing, and for years he is known by his many different collaborations and energetic concerts. I saw him live few times (playing solo, with Barry Guy or Liudas Mockūnas), it always was great explosive show!
The problem with Mats' recordings was they were often too abstract and too "out" even for his fans. His current project Fire! (trio with bassist/guitarist Johan Berthling of the ambient electronic duo Tape, and drummer Andreas Werlin of experimental pop duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums) should solve this problem easily. Just four compositions but they really show another Mats' side. Rhythm section build hypnotic, sometimes funky, repetitive rhythm structure with obvious influence from Can and Canterbury scene (Soft Machine mostly). Mats's sax are sharp,but enough ascetic, covering the dense rhythm vibrations by free jazz soloing.
Compositions are all quite well structured, some contain high-pitched female vocals (guest vocalist Mariam Wallentin) and endless Hammond organ drones.Besides of sax,Mats plays Fender Rhodes(!)on this album as well.Being still free jazz album by its atmosphere, there are plenty of grooves and tunes on it, and I believe this Fire! debut could attract much wider listeners to Mats music - psychedelic instrumental music lovers and electronic fans wouldn't be disappointed by release for sure.