Nils Molvær ~ Streamer
The arrival of Nils
Molvær’s 1998 ECM debut, Khmer, came as a shock: here was a trumpeter
intent on updating Miles Davis’s 1970s hybrid templates for the new
millenium by marrying defiant/mournful trumpet to breakbeat rhythms, cathartic
twin guitar attack, driving bass and liberal doses of samples. Molvaer was
evidently someone to watch and Khmer heralded a veritable tidal wave of exciting
Norwegian music. Since then, however, Molvær’s fiery dynamics
have flickered and waned until there appeared to be more smoke and smoulder
than scorch and burn. Streamer is Molvær’s fourth album (not counting
a remix cd) and presents two concert performances from 2002 concatenatated
into a single 60 minute set. Molvaer live is a much more dynamic experience
than the impression conveyed by the home-listening oriented studio albums.
Slamming dance beats, firestorm guitar and the succour of quieter passages
gifted by Molvær’s playing are the order of the day. Molvær’s
development has been a case of gradual progression rather than the sudden
leaps of seminal antecedents such as Jon Hassell and the aforementioned Miles
Davis and although Streamer doesn’t break significant new ground, it
does partially reignite the flames, especially when played loud. Given that
this music is already two years old it’s yet to be seen how Molvær
can develop his unique brand of electronic jazz, but Streamer is highly recommended
as an impressive introduction to his music.
Colin Buttimer
October 2004