Saturday, May 1, 2010

The Intersection: Humcrush

Humcrush (group; fromed 2004)
Thomas Stronen (drums, electronics)
Stale Storlokken (guitar, electronics)

Two members of two highly influential Norwegians bands Supersilent and Food join forces with some stellar results. Humcrush utilize a blinding mixture of electronics and jazz improvisation that are extremely inventive. Thomas Stronen's drum work--adventurous, propulsive is the perfect compliment to Storlokken's dark almost evil keyboard brilliance. Between both of their groups they have managed to record three magnificent albums that build upon each other with maximum success. Ethereal in parts and sometimes sounding like a great blend of minimalism and contemporary themes Humcrush is one of my favourite groups of the last few years.

At times a sounding like King Crimson, Amon Duul, David Sylvian/Mick Karn's ambient works and fusion era Miles Davis, Humcrush is a most interesting proposition. Their most recent release Rest At Worlds End (Rune Grammophon) is probably the best place to start. It's technically a live album (recorded over a number dates) but you will never notice as the audience has been striped from the recordings. But Rest At Worlds End is an improvisation miracle. Tunes float and groove with ease and the exchanges between the two musicians in remarkable. The standout track is "Steam" which is funky, technodelic (I've been waiting to use that word) and so hyper-real that you wish you watching it performed live. Rest At Worlds End is melodic and eerie but with a lost of rich textures that will keep the listener captivated throughout. A must listen for everyone and make your own judgement from there.

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