EDENA GARDENS - Dispossessed

Nicklas Sørensen, Martin Rude and Jakob Skøtt are back.

No, that sounds wrong.

With this new studio recording being the fifth release of Edena Gardens in the span of only four years it doesn't actually feel like the Danish trio has ever actually been away. At least I cannot claim that I've grown tired of their previous output thus far. But of course I will gladly take this new offering anyway!

EDENA GARDENS - Dispossessed (LP) (2025)

The improvisational instrumental Psychedelic super group made out of members of Papir, London Odense Ensemble and of course El Paraiso Records founding band Causa Sui presents itself in an often dry, stripped down way on "Dispossessed".

The album starts with the slow cowboy Doom chords of "Hiraeth", very akin to Earth and maintains a relaxed bluesy atmosphere, which sometimes lifts off into wider dreamier spheres, while still keeping one foot firmly in the dirt of the bare ground.

Between desert Americana and Post Kraut the organic flow of guitar, bass (or baritone guitar) and drums switches of your body clock with each of the eight tracks seperating you farther from your common perception of time.

As the ultimate logical conclusion of this experience the slow motion twangs, howls and Ambient textures of the ten-minute piece "Aftenstjerne" are a great way to close this album.

While many cover artworks of the label are created by Jakob Skøtt, "Dispossessed" is actually graced by a painting of another band member, bassist Martin Rude.

Visually and acoustically: beautiful work, everyone! 

LONDON ODENSE ENSEMBLE - Live At Jaiyede Jazz Festival

Is this the one? Is this the ultimate Danske Psych Jazz Fusion record? - Hard to say, since half of El Paraiso Records' output seems to be combatting for that title and almost every album is such a new exciting journey on its own.

LONDON ODENSE ENSEMBLE - Live At Jaiyede Jazz Festival (Ochre vinyl LP) (2023)

Indeed this live LP stands on the shoulder of many predecessors. We've heard the madness of Black Cube Marriage, we've seen Mythic Sunship and Causa Sui both bringing guest saxophonists into the fold. The label has even specifically gathered spectacular Jazz Rock ensembles before - the Ellis Munk Ensemble and the Chicago Odense Ensemble.

And even if we only look closely just on the string of albums which subsequently lead to the live recording at hand, we're already opening Pandora's wallet: It started with a double strike of two LPs by the Martin Rude & Jakoc Skøtt Duo in 2020. The Danish duo then became one-third British by transforming into the Rude Skott Osborn Trio for "The Virtue Of Temperance", which could have been the final culmination. But it looks as that had only been the start, because afterwards the gates opened even wider and the group became the five-member London Odense Ensemble, releasing the two absolutely stunning "Jaiyede Sessions" in 2022 and 2023. Yes, that's this year and damn, it has already been good to us, right? Enter the logical next step, the baptism by fire, the first live album of the formation. Actually, as the title already suggests, this live show was recorded in 2021, immediately following the sessions, which led to the two studio albums.

Similar to the live album of Edena Gardens, the other project the label heavily focusses on at the moment the three jams on "Live At Jaiyede Jazz Festival" mix reprises of established material with completely fresh tunes.

The quarter-hour opener "Energy Ascending" doesn't only bear a title which seems to be plucked right out of the golden age of Free Spiritual Jazz, but also takes us there musically. Coltrane worship isn't anything new in these parts of Denmark, but starting with the flute (which later switches to saxophone), adding the piano and playing around a groove that is very much a variation of "A Love Supreme" or Sanders' "The Creator Has A Masterplan" these guys have seldom hit the tribute nail on the head as precise as here. Yet while maintaining the Jazz core of the idea, they push it into Rock aesthetics towards the finale.

Much more a Kraut jam right from the beginning, but very distinct due to its flute alone is "Sojourner", a dreamily expanded interpretation of the track from the "Jaiyede Sessions Vol. I".
The closer's title "Exit Momentum" refers to "Enter Momentum", also from "Vol. I", but isn't build on the same theme as far as I can tell. Instead it mostly is an ever-ascending smooth Jazz Rock play upon the canonical "Tomorrow Never Knows" Psychedelic Rock groove.

As always with music like this almost everything relies on the ability, tastefulness and chemistry of the players. And Tamar Osborn (wind instruments), Al McSween (keys), Jonas Munk (guitar), Martin Rude (bass) and Jakob Skøtt (drums) have all of those in spades.

So is this the one? - Well, it's probably too short for that with just over half an hour playing time. But who cares, it's amazing as long as it lasts! Yet another stunning entry into one of my favorite label catalogues.  

elparaisorecords · London Odense Ensemble: "Energy Ascending (Live At Jaiyede Jazz Festival)"

El Paraiso Double Jamsensation: LONDON ODENSE ENSEMBLE - Jaiyede Sessions Volume 2 / EDENA GARDENS - Edena Gardens

I didn't receive them in one package for once, but it's time to finally talk about two recent releases of everyone's favorite Scandinavian Psych label again!

LONDON ODENSE ENSEMBLE - Jaiyede Sessions Volume 2 (LP) (2023)

No matter if you think there's an improvement compared to "Volume 1" or if you like this second part less than its predecessor - you would always be technically wrong to talk about any kind of evolution here, since both albums were actually distilled from the very same gathering in Denmark. So the difference between these two releases isn't one of developments over time, but just one of selection from the manifold material, which the Causa Sui members and friends assembled during the jams on their get-together.

Hippie-Prog/Psych-Rock meets Latin-Jazz-Fusion meets analogue Electro-sprinkles in a downright intoxicating, timeless Miles, Coltrane and Hancock mass for the gods.
That's what I said about the first album with the line-up of Martin Rude and Jonas Munk (guitars), Jakob Skøtt (drums), Tamar Osborn (wind instruments) and Al MacSween (keyboards) - so naturally my expectations for this new one were very high. On the other hand it was kind of easy for the London Odense Ensemble to meet them, since they only needed to deliver "more of the same", right? And did they do that? Well... yes and no.

The tracks on "Jaiyede Sessions Volume 2" are shorter, but there are a couple more. Most of this stuff seems to be more layered and fleshed out, but at the same time also often feels airier and lighter, an effect which is mostly caused by the choice of synth sounds and Osborn favouring the dreamy flute over her saxophone.
That doesn't mean these sessions don't get dirty from time to time, be it with funky beats and gnarly bass fuzz or free jazz escapades like in "Flux". But all in all there is certainly a magical feathery breeze caressing the 1970's Fusion sound of this record.

It's spectacular! And no matter if you are familiar with the players and their previous album or if you're just fond of jams which transport you from groovy rock roots to Jazz flute heights - you will enjoy this!

elparaisorecords · London Odense Ensemble: Casper's Green

elparaisorecords · London Odense Ensemble: Reflective Shapes

EDENA GARDENS - Edena Gardens (LP) (2022)

Given that it's yet another meeting of Martin Rude and Jakøb Skott, this trio, which also includes El Paraiso alumnus and Papir guitarist Nicklas Sørensen, sounds surprisingly different, not only compared to the London Odense Ensemble, yet also to the predecessing Martin Rude & Jakob Skøtt Duo and Rude Skøtt Osborn Trio releases.

"Edena Gardens" takes the most sun-drenched ideas of Causa Sui and slowly drags them through the Californian desert sand. This is the meeting point of "Szabodelico" and Dylan Carlson's Earth. Of course these guys can't help themselves and get very playful and overflowing at times, but the general vibe of this album is grave and introverted - yet in a sincere captivating way, which reflects beautifully back onto the surface. Especially "Aether" and "Hidebound", the mesmerizingly slow openers of each side talk a language of eloquent simplicity, which is just immediately engaging.
Taking the whole combined body of work under these three Psychedelic jam masters into account (or at least the portion of it which I know), Edena Gardens stand out as one of their most distinct projects.

My only miniature bother with this album is the at this point a little bit overused wordplay in the song title "Now Here Nowhere", which otherwise is a completely cool tune. But I guess if not already everything else, the upbeat Folk and cowboy twang finale of "An T-Eilean Dubh" makes up for that.

Can't wait to hear and see what this trio will bring onto the stage at Esbjerg Fuzztival in May!

elparaisorecords · Edena Gardens: Hidebound

elparaisorecords · Edena Gardens: Sliding Under

LONDON ODENSE ENSEMBLE - Jaiyede Sessions Volume I

Wenn sich bei dem aus dem Hause Causa Sui heraus geführten dänischen Label El Paraiso Record eine Tendenz abzeichnet, dann ist es wohl, mehr denn je unter dem Motto Fuck it, let's jam! zusammenzukommen und zu schauen, was passiert.

Und bei dem Mix aus improvisationserfahrenen und virtuosen Krautrock- und Jazzmusikern, die sich immer wieder versammeln, kann man sich diesen Luxus auch sehr gut leisten, wissen die Resultate einen doch stets wie eine magische Windhose wegzublasen.
 

LONDON ODENSE ENSEMBLE - Jaiyede Sessions Volume I (LP) (2022)

Der erste Teil der "Jaiyede Sessions" ist im Grunde schon eine Kulmination all dessen, was El Paraiso-Sessions so großartig macht. Der Projektname erinnert an vergangene Kollektivaufnahmen unter den Bannern Ellis/Munk Ensemble ("San Diego Sessions") oder natürlich noch deutlicher Chicago Odense Ensemble.
Insgesamt steht das Line-Up dieser Aufnahmen allerdings in direkter Nachfolge der beiden Alben des Martin Rude & Jakob Skøtt Duos, sowie dessen Erweiterung zum Rude Skøtt Osborn Trio auf "The Virtue Of Temperance".

Doch während die Londoner Multiinstrumentalistin Tamar Osborn damals nur aus der pandemischen Ferne Overdubs einspielen konnte, trafen sich die drei nun leibhaftig in Dänemark. Osborn brachte auch noch den in Latin, Elektro und weltmusikalischem Allerlei heimischen Keyboarder Al MacSween mit. Und wenn man eh schon in der Causa Sui-Kreativzentrale abhängt, kann neben Drummer Jakob Skøtt und Teilzeitbassist Martin Rude selbstverständlich auch Gitarrist Jonas Munk vom Mischpult an die Saiten wechseln.

Das Resultat ist - wenn man es nicht kaputtsezieren möchte - das organische Zusammenrühren all dieser Elemente und Erfahrungen. Hippie-Prog/Psych-Rock trifft Latin-Jazz-Fusion trifft analoge Elektroeinsprengsel in einer geradezu rauschhaften, zeitvergessenen und zeitlosen Miles-, Coltrane- und Hancock-Messe für die Götter.
Munks gewohnt warme, dynamische und einfach perfekt für Schallplatte prädestinierte Produktion setzt dem Ganze die Krone auf.

Klar, das ist irgendwie alles schon einmal da gewesen. Aber halt nicht in genau dieser Konstellation, mit dieser spezifischen Chemie und Kreativität des Augenblicks. Und diese Zusammenkunft klingt einfach irre gut.

Einzig der Ausklang des letzten Jams "Celestial Navigation" kommt mir irgendwie etwas zu schnell und unerwartet. Doch das ist vielleicht ja Absicht, um uns bereits Hunger auf "Volume II" zu machen. Sollte dies als derartiger Trick gemeint sein, dann funktioniert er auf jeden Fall ausgezeichnet.

Gesamturteil zu "Jaiyede Sessions Volume I":

Jaiyede Jaiyippieh Jai-Yay!

elparaisorecords · Jaiyede Suite pt. 2

elparaisorecords · London Odense Ensemble: Sojourner

MIDYEAR TOP 15: my favorite albums of 2022 (so far)

Ok, you know what's up: Half of the year is over, so here's my very spontanously in the moment and probably subject to heavy change until the end of the year list of my favorite albums of 2022 - so far!

No distinction between live and studio albums and only stuff I already own in physical form.

1. VOIVOD
   Synchro Anarchy
   
   
   
   
   
2. WIEGEDOOD
   There's Always Blood At The End Of The Road
   
   
   
   
3. ARCHIVE
   Call To Arms & Angels / Super8
   
   
   
   
4. GGGOLDDD
   This Shame Should Not Be Mine / Live At Roadburn Redux
   
   
   
   
5. JOHN ZORN
   Perchance To Dream
   
   
   
   
6. LAIBACH
   Wir sind das Volk
   
   
   
   
7. JO QUAIL
   The Cartographer
   
   
   
   
8. NEPTUNIAN MAXIMALISM
   Set Chaos To The Heart Of The Moon
   
   
   
   
9. ASSUMPTION
   Hadean Tides
   
   
   
   
10. 300,000 V.K.
    Der Sturm
    
    
    
    
11. TEMPLE FANG
    Fang Temple
    
    
    
    
12. BLUT AUS NORD
    Disharmonium - Undreamable Abysses
    
    
    
    
13. LONDON ODENSE ENSEMBLE
    Jaiyede Sessions Volume I
    
    
    
    
14. BLOOD QUARTET
    Root 7
    
    
    
    
15. YĪN YĪN
    The Age Of Aquarius