MASQUALERO — Masqualero (review)

MASQUALERO — Masqualero album cover Album · 1983 · Nu Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
snobb
Bassist Arild Andersen and drummer Jon Christensen are a couple of the more respectable Norwegian jazz musicians and became well-known in the early 70s as the rhythm section for the Jan Garbarek band. Over the next few decades they collaborated on many albums, released some solo material and became ECM "house musicians".

In the early 80s Arild and Jon founded a new project with three Norwegian new-generation artists - the still unknown trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer, sax player Tore Brunborg and pianist Jon Balke. Their first release (on Odin label)gave the name to their project - "Masqualero".

Fourteen years later Molvaer will become the nu jazz star with his debut "Khmer", but in realty, the roots of his future sound can be easily found here on Masqualero's debut.

This album's music is not much different from the characteristic sound of Nordic jazz of the time - aerial cool melodic compositions with well-framed structure, lot of reeds soloing over the electric piano and near-rock rhythm. Some compositions are seriously influenced by electric Miles, others are more accessible and sound closer to relaxed fusion of the 80s. But looking from now, there are myriads of Molvaer's future nu jazz elements in this album's music.

The original vinyl contains 9 compositions, while the later CD re-release is 14 songs long. Being more a transitional release without strong direction, this album is a bit bulky and not essential enough, but has its moments and is really interesting, especially as one quite rare innovative jazz work coming from the early 80s. To listen to the nu jazz ideas started on this album but developed in full, go to Molvaer's debut.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Mikolaj Trzaska, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple vol.3 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mikolaj Trzaska, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple, Vol.1 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mikołaj Trzaska / Ingebrigt Håker Flaten / Paal Nilssen-Love : The Last Temple Vol.2 Avant-Garde Jazz
MIKOŁAJ TRZASKA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sustain Avant-Garde Jazz
AALY TRIO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sunset Park Post Bop
TOBIAS MEINHART
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

FASCINATING RHYTHM - The Amazing Keystone Big Band feat. Neima Naouri
THE AMAZING KEYSTONE BIG BAND
snobb· 1 day ago
Alicante
RENAUD GARCIA-FONS
js· 1 day ago
She's Forty with Me
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Tall Tillie's Too Tight
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Rhoda Scott Ladies and Gentlemen - special guest : David Linx
RHODA SCOTT
snobb· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed