Given the depth of
Jaga Jazzist's sophistication and their wide-ranging musical vision that encompasses everything from free jazz to hip-hop, from techno to funk, from rock to modern composition, this Norwegian ensemble is a natural partner for a collaboration with the internationally renowned
Britten Sinfonia under the direction of
Christian Eggen. The material was chosen from
JJ's catalog (particularly from the
One-Armed Bandit album, which they were touring in support of), and is beautifully arranged, performed, and recorded. While the lengthy treatment of "One-Armed Bandit" opens with strings, brass, and winds playing something that resembles a cadenza from one of the
Sinfonia's namesake's symphonies, it quickly quiets down into the nearly pastoral for a few minutes before
JJ enters with a persistent beat-head pulse, and the piece morphs into a symphonic, progressive jazz workout with a fantastic array of colors. The plucked strings and bass clarinet that introduce "Kitty Wu" set up a compelling juxtaposition that expands to include synths, loops, breaks, and a contrapuntal dialogue between electric guitars, brass, organic and synthetic rhythms, striding strings, and expansive winds. Not all of this gig works, however. At nearly 11 minutes, "Bananfluer Overalt" reveals surprisingly little in terms of contrast, dynamic, or adventure -- even with its killer rock guitar solo -- and "Toccata" says more about the
Sinfonia than it does
JJ; the winds shine brighter than the brass-heavy, Euro-big-band chart. Neither of these pieces is dull, it's just that the earlier part of the album creates great expectations. Thankfully, those are met on the set's last two pieces, the formidable rock and sonic effects fireworks that color the orchestra's pulsing energy on "Music! Dance! Drama!," and the beautifully articulated tonal and textural journey that transforms this reading of "Oslo Skyline." While
Live with the Britten Sinfonia may be too formal to provide the wild, free-ranging ride that one might expect from this adventurous lot, it is dazzling in its own right and in almost all the right ways. ~ Thom Jurek