Jaga ~ What We Must
Jaga return for
album number four having parted company with half their name (Jazzist). However,
the divorce doesn’t spell a radical departure from their signature sound.
In fact, first track All I Know Is Tonight sounds like Phil Spector has taken
over at the mixing desk, such is the wall of sound they produce. Stardust
Hotel continues in like fashion borne along on a gorgeously overdriven, twinkling
melody and there’s even a touch of ‘60s naif about the whole thing.
Due to the lovely tune and the amount of space the group allow the composition
to breathe, the vote for most enjoyable track must go to Swedenborgske Rom.
The intricate lines and quickly changing passages are all present and correct
and there’s a sense of welcome spontaneity that Jaga’s previous
outing, The Stix, lacked. Less bombast and a little more subtlety on the high
energy tracks would have been welcome, but overall, What We Must is a highly
enjoyable album and a notable return to form.
Colin Buttimer
March 2005
Published by Jazzwise magazine