Some Background:
Krokofant were a new name to me when I was sent a promotional copy of their new album 6. From the name of the album I correctly surmised that they weren’t a new new band and more than likely had 5 previous albums! I was correct (makes a change some would say), this is in fact their 6th album with their first (self-titled) being released in 2014. The three piece who hail from Norway are comprised of Tom Hasslan on guitar, Axel Skalstad on drums and Jørgen Mathisen on saxophone. They did have both a bassist and organist on the last 2 albums (from the stuff I have heard it was more rock-inspired than as a 3 piece) but on this occasion, they are back to where they were originally. The album has 6 tracks, the shortest at 6:44 and longest at 8:01 and comes in around the 45-minute mark. Going by what I could find out it seems all 3 members compose, arrange and play the songs.
Improvisational… And Fun:
The band are a mix of rock and jazz fusion and remind me of some of the more jazzier elements of Frank Zappa. Other influences would be King Crimson (more the 80s period on this album), Soft Machine and John Coltrane or Miles Davis, so yes a mix of prog rock and jazz. Opener “Harry Davidson” starts like a theme to a cartoon or comedy movie (like say “The Mask” with Jim Carrey), very playful and fun before the sax comes in over the melody or riff and finally both merge making something akin to verses and choruses. There are variations each time a melody comes around showing their improvisation and creativity. I am curious as to whether there is also one of them playing a bass at times or whether it is a down-tuned guitar which forms the base of the piece as the lead guitar goes off on all sorts of tangents. This is one of the more rockier tracks but what stands out for me (other than the playing which is ridiculously good) is how entertaining and fun it all is. Again I would say anyone who enjoys jazz rock Zappa should dig this enormously. “Triple Dad” has the sax taking the lead at the start, but the sounds at time are more sparse, allowing the little touches and flourishes of each player to come through, especially the cymbal work around halfway. The guitar takes the front during the second half of the track. “Oh My God” is almost funk rock at the start, very soulful 70s style and then it drops down to drums and a guitar with plenty reverb or echo.
My Favourite Track:
“Country Doom” is my favourite track, it has a bluesy feel and the ominous nature of the music at the time is certainly supplying the “doom“. I love the doomy vibe of the notes being played under the reasonably upbeat guitar solo, this hints more towards King Crimson having fun with Black Sabbath whilst not sounding like a Sabbath track (maybe the drums, Bill Ward was a jazz player at the start). Parts would make a great soundtrack to a horror movie. Both the guitar and sax solos are terrific on this. “The Ballade” is slower and jazzier than the rest, and the build-up is too slow for me personally. The second half is pleasant enough, but this track doesn’t grab me like some of the others. The last piece “Pretentious Woman” heads back into more upbeat territory. If you only paid attention to the sax you would call this straight-up jazz, but if you listen to the music underneath you can hear plenty of rocking vibes, then the sax joins in with that riffage and becomes very enjoyable indeed.
A Band Having Fun:
An album for folks with wide tastes. If you are a fan of any of the artists mentioned earlier then this is an album (and band) that you should definitely dig (man). The playing is absolutely top-notch, the compositions are clever, for the most part interesting and also pretty enjoyable/fun. The press notes did say “The resurrection of the trio has been a doozy for the band and has rekindled the joy of a more intense improvisational interplay and fun of making songs together again” as well as “ the trio is more focused on the collective and sculpting the music together rather than the more rigid song structures of the quintet“, so perhaps those who prefer their music a bit heavier or rockier might find more enjoyment in their last 2 albums, however, if jazz doesn’t scare you then these guys are well worth checking out.
Purchase Album: Bandcamp
Official: Facebook
