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London Odense Ensemble — Jaiyede Sessions Volume 2
(El Paraiso EPR069LP, 2023, LP / CD /DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2023-02-05

Jaiyede Sessions Volume 2 Cover art

In the middle of last year we reviewed Jaiyede Sessions Volume 1, a collaboration between saxophonist / flutist Tamar Osborn and keyboardist Al MacSween — both denizens of London’s flowering jazz scene — as they teamed up with guitarist Jonas Munk and drummer Jakob Skott — both of Danish rock powerhouse Causa Sui — and bassist Martin Rude of Sun River to explore new sounds together in Munk’s studio in Denmark. For two days and two nights, the five players let their ideas flow, all captured for possible future release, remixed and edited by Munk (often adding external effects, synthesizers, and other enhancements), the sessions have resulted in two releases thus far. Will there be more? That’s a good question, but 48 hours can yield a bounty of recordings, and those included in Jaiyede Sessions Volume 2 are no less interesting and effective than those from its predecessor. In a few words, this is gently flowing psychedelic jazz of mystical proportions, typified by the seven-plus minute opener “Phantasms,” the echoey flutes somewhat reniniscent of the late Nik Turner’s Sphynx over a backdrop of subtle synths and electronics, the drum kit making an entrance with double bass adding some structire to the proceedings, the guitar making an appearance whenever appropriate between the flashes of color and light. On the edgier front, as on “Casper’s Green” we launch into a bit more sructure with the keyboards taking a solo nearly right out of the start gate, something that might remind the listener of early 70s Soft Machine, with saxes taking an exciting solo as the piece proceeds further along its eight-plus minute trajectory. Everything is layered nicely, saxes over electronics over the churning of a busy rhythm section. The stirring envelopment of “Desert Star Leaf” combines a lot of the ensemble’s best elements into one busy three minute piece, while “Emerald Sea” is a gently relaxed seven minute epic that certainly lives up to its title. Overall, this is a far more immersive set than its predecessor, yet no less cerebral where it needs to be.

Filed under: New releases, 2023 releases

Related artist(s): Jonas Munk, Jakob Skøtt, Sun River / Martin Rude, London Odense Ensemble

More info
http://soundcloud.com/elparaiso/london-odense-ensemble-caspers-green

 

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