artist : Nods Off
title : In The Space Between
date : 2005
label : Einnicken Records
cat# : era0417
genre : Jazz
release date: 01.11.2008
street date : 02.10.2005
tracks : 09
bitrate : avg. 184kbps
size : 55,4 MB
source : CDDA
type : Album
_______________________________________________________________________
"Nods Off is a Swedish group that reflects the freshness of
the new wave of improvisational music. They have for certain
not much with computers and other new technique to do, but on
the other hand they connect on to half as much to rock as to
jazz and they do dare to break atonality and free rhythm for
more conventional elements. With saxophones, guitar, bass and
drums they break in somewhere in between one for the style
"free" and one for the style "conventional" way of playing.
They cook, they crack up and rumble around in the bottom, but
in the music there is also composed structures that support a
melodic beauty. That gives scope and dynamics while at the
same time Stefan Wistrand, Daniel Carlsson, Stefan Larsson
and Peter Olsen create a collective expression that feels
uniform and distinct. A real progressive record."
Johannes Cornell
Dagens Nyheter, February 23, 2005 (Sweden)
"JAZZ IMPROVISATION WITH ROCK WEIGHT. Without a lot of fuss
Nods Off plays an unusual easily accessible music that
navigates between improvisational jazz and experimental rock.
Stefan WistrandÆs saxophones open mightily; the notes arenÆt
unusual but well found. Daniel CarlssonÆs electric guitar
plows slowly and emphatically, not unlike Finnish American
Raoul Bj÷rkenheim. Peter OlsenÆs urgent and ingenious drums
are the bandÆs propeller. Stefan LarssonÆs more conventional
electric bass stands for smooth running and steady ground.
Forceful steamroller compositions vary with slowly burning
beautiful ones, and quite a lot in between. Everything is
new, still you feel at home. With its rock oriented drive
Nods Off should be able to reach many listeners. Both band
and new listeners are to be congratulated."
Leif Carlsson
Lira 3/2005 (Sweden)
"Think of early-æ70s King Crimson delving into avant garde
rock territory, as this Swedish quartet lets it all hang out
in a rowdy sort of way. However, the bandÆs free-flowing
habit does not signify a retrofitting of the past.
Electric guitarist Daniel CarlssonÆs sustained notes and
blistering progressions act as a symbiotic foil for reedman
Stefan Wistrand. And while the musicians generally soar
skyward, they tone matters down in spots. Structured upon
quirky movements, smothered with angst and staggered pulses,
the quartet's music is driven by an obvious sense of
direction.
On the duet piece ôSwop,ö Wistrand executes wistful
soprano sax lines in concert with drummer Peter OlsenÆs
uptempo African tom-tom patterns. Then again no one would
conceivably accuse these folks of performing background
music. Take, for example, CarlssonÆs maniacal licks in
concert with his bandmatesÆ unrelenting attack and swirling
countercurrents. On the other hand, Wistrand does instill a
few melodic hooks into the grand scheme of things, so the
music isnÆt all about bombast and dissonance. Needless to
say, the ensemble saturates its palate with a good-natured
vibe that becomes quite conspicuous from the onset.
(Recommendedà)"
Glenn Astarita
All About Jazz, Nov. 21, 2005 (USA)
"Ancient beings are called to the fore on In the Space
Between, an electrified offering by Nods Off that owes as
much to John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders' spiritual
contributions as it does to Rock's more experimental
ventures. Wistrand spins out mystic phrases on plugged-in
reeds, Carlsson jars the senses on electric guitar, Larsson
creates deep droning patterns on electric bass, and Olsen
fans the bonfire on drums. This Swedish band painstakingly
paints elongated prayers to the otherworldly as its
boisterous sΘance attempts to communicate to the netherworld.
The illusion perpetuated by the combination of Wistrand's
soaring soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone hymns that beckon
Carlsson and Larsson into the fray where they coat the
scorched environment with their igniting strings.
Invidually these musicians excel as probing and prodding
voyagers. Carlsson is particularly compelling when he cuts
loose to send jolting messages capable of being heard on
distant planets. Larsson fuels the effort with deep buzzing
undercurrents, and Wistrand flies above the widespread
destruction pouring incendiary fluid over the haze. Olsen
goes nonstop in setting up a bombastic backdrop of irregular
pulsation. While the band casts a mesmerizing spell with its
collective entreaty, the improvising talent of each member
vividly surfaces out of the waters of this briskly bubbling
cauldron. Nods Off gets the adrenaline flowing nonstop with
its stimulating black magic communiquΘs."
Frank Rubolino
Cadence, October 2005 (USA) www.cadencebuilding.com
"In the Space Between" is a collaborative effort from Nods
Off, a quartet that features Stefan Wistrand on various
reeds, Daniel Carlsson on electric guitar, Stefan Larsson on
electric bass and percussionist Peter Olsen. Particularly
strong are the loud guitar contributions of Daniel Carlsson.
His improvisational lines juxtapose the tenor, alto and
soprano screeching of Stefan Wistrand. What also struck me
about this release is the powerful, heavy-handed drumming of
Peter Olsen. His style is one of take-no-prisoners and he
often conflicts with the other members of the quartet. If
you're looking for a quartet that dabbles in improvisational
rock with a punch, Nods Off is a good starting point."
Tom Sekowski
GAZ-ETA nr 34/2005 (Poland)
"The Swedish group Nods Off is lead from at least ten years
by saxophonist Stefan Wistrand, who is introduced at this
record date by a quartet, consisting of electric guitarist
Daniel Carlsson, electric bassist Stefan Larsson and drummer
Peter Olsen. The four musicians move with free decision and
pride in free jazz territory, leaving the road stub for
progressive rockÆs full load of energy and luminescence. The
climate is turbulent, loaded with electronics, pervaded from
an obvious tension that mounts from the energetic moving
force of the drummer and in the thick expressive implications
of the guitarist. The leader demonstrates great mastery of
the instrument and is the planning member, always giving the
feeling of having the perfect control of the rudder, without
never to rerun to the automatic pilot rifle. The nine
compositions are all originals signed by Stefan Wistrand who,
in some cases, takes advantage of the collaboration of the
drummer Olsen and the bassist Larsson. One of the
compositions summarizes them; the conclusive "The Call"
instead is signed collectively by the group, giving a clear
indication that the technique of ' instant composition' is
important in these contexts."
Maurizio Comandini
Altrisuoni, September 2005 (Italy)
"FREE FANTASY, COMMANDING PRESENCE
Saxophonist Stefan Wistrand leads the group Nods Off since
fifteen years. The music is strongly affected by its members.
Swop is a lyrical number on soprano sax and drums while the
following The blinder has rock influences and is dominated by
Daniel CarlssonÆs electric guitar. The music is sometimes
characterized by electronic sounds and added voices. Wistrand
is often soloist, and is sensitively accompanied by his
fellow musicians. The tenor sax is most frequently used,
followed by soprano sax. He has a big tone and expresses
himself with an obvious authority. Carlsson also gets a big
space for his guitar. He lets the sound overflow all its
banks. The earlier growth of Nods Off is well presented in
their album æHere, There, Down & Up!Æ (OJ 1/01)"
Sven Boija
OJ - Orkesterjournalen 05/2005 (Sweden)
"Fusing rock-like instrument approach and free jazz. Original
stance featuring inventive timbre mixes, simultaneously
unfolding solos, offering a refreshing stream of ideas. Open
forms, apparently loosely constructed, bear a great intricacy
of weave. Constantly shifting pulses, sound layers carefully
laid out in a thoroughly original proposal."
Hurly Burly, June 2005 (Spain)
"The Swedish improvisational scene today has quite too few
names. Nods Off though is one of the foremost with their
blending of free jazz and something they themselves call
experimental rock. Sounds wild and it sure is."
Stefan Nilsson
Nerikes Allehanda, March 23, 2005 (Sweden)
"On their third fullength CD EskilstunaÆs freeform gang
number one shows that improvisational music can embrace both
rock and jazz and added to that be both structured and
melodic. Fifteen years from the founding Nods Off is again
formed around the original setting of Stefan Wistrand on
saxophones, Stefan Larsson on bass and Peter Olsen on drums
and where not the least the newcomer in shape of Daniel
Carlsson on guitar gives the dynamic excursions a definite
progressive turn. Like ear wash for ears bloated by musical
nonsense."
Peter Bornemar
Eskilstuna-Kuriren, April 8, 2005 (Sweden)
Nods Off has been featured on US radio playlists with the
tune "In Leaf" from their latest album. See WNUR Jazz Chicago
(John Corbett & Peter Kostakis) and Aural Innovations (Jerry
Kranitz).
March 2005
http://www.einnickenrecords.com
_______________________________________________________________________
01-And Time Passed By 05:28
02-In Leaf 04:35
03-Something That She Said 07:09
04-Going (Gone) 02:44
05-Swop 03:01
06-The Blinder 03:37
07-Dedication 08:29
08-Sonds Good 02:16
09-The Call 03:04
-------
40:23 min