Matt
Finnish guitarist Kalle Kalima with this release comprising a quartet has taken Stanley Kubrick’s films for inspiration with his compositions and album theme in 2009 with “Some Kubricks Of Blood” which was released on the Tum Label. Kalle Kailma has worked with quite a few well known names in Jazz prior to this with Tomasz Stanko, Marc Ducret, Juhani Aaltonen as well as having lead three different trios and currently is touring with Jim Tenor as well as teaching guitar in the music department at The University of Luzern. Quartet is the make up for this Kubrick influenced project with Kalle, on electric and acoustic guitar, Mikko Innanen, alto, soprano and baritone saxophone, Vile Kujala , quarter tone accordion with Teppo Hauta-aho on double bass and you will notice that there is no drummer included as Kalle was after a certain atmosphere for his presentation and vision of his Stanley Kubrick compositions.
It’s “Overlook Hotel” from ‘The Shining” opening with the musicians keeping things separated between bursts of guitar for this interesting opening improv number with a bit of creaky atmosphere to follow where one will realise the album is as much Experimental as it is Jazz with some delightful changes within the compositions bringing the required effects and feel for the album with the 46 second “Hal 9000” computer effect leading to the following “Room 237” with the required creeping sound and later atmosphere when one finds what is in the bath and The Shining is still the major influence with the following short composition “Overlook Bar” comprising primarily solo electric guitar. “Karova Milk Bar” has the accordion bringing the atmosphere for this “A Clockwork Orange” influence number with quite an experimental feel and as throughout the previous tracks it feels more of a Soundtrack having the gradual changes within. The longest composition is the 14 minute “Parris Island” with barely a sound apart from some clicks for the first minute for Kalle’s take on “Full Metal Jacket” with a gradual pick up to come on this original number of varying changes. There are three more compositions to follow and like the entire album’s construction it is Experimental and Avante Garde for what could be used quite easily as a Soundtrack.
I have to admit it is not something I would play every day but there are some interesting points and the album does contain a bit of atmosphere but it really is only for those lovers of Experimental and Avante Garde music. It is one of those “Got to be in the Mood “ albums but if you are?, quite an interesting listen.