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Goran Kajfes: Goran Kajfes: X/Y
By
X/Y
Headspin Recordings
2011
Best known for his work with the timewarp friendly Swedish band
X/Y also embraces the world-jazz of multi-instrumentalist

Don Cherry
trumpet1936 - 1995

Mulatu Astatke
percussion
Terry Riley
composer / conductorb.1935

Archie Shepp
saxophone, tenorb.1937
With its electric guitars and keyboardsdrenched in early 1970s jazz-rock texturesostinatos, "ethnic" percussion and writhing horns, X/Y might equally well have been titled Big Fun, had not trumpeter

Miles Davis
trumpet1926 - 1991
Each of the two discs has a distinct character. On X, Kajfe? fronts his 14-piece Subtropic Arkestra on a set of extrovert, loosely arranged, multi-cultural jams. On Y, a more delicate and soundscapey suite, he is heard only with keyboard/synthesizer player David ?sterberg. "I wanted to explore two territories at the same time," says Kajfe?. "One with a larger constellation featuring musicians from several traditionsnot necessarily with myself as focal pointthe other where my appetite for minimalism and electronics could be satisfied."

Goran Kajfe?
The Subtropic Arkestra includes, among its predominantly Swedish contingent, Oddjob saxophonist Per Johansson and guitarist Johan Lindstr?m. Johansson, mainly heard on baritone, is paired with

Jonas Kullhammar
saxophoneb.1978

Joachim Kuhn
pianob.1944
Echoes of Ethio-jazz run through several tracks, and are explicitly referenced in the themes and horn arrangements of "Sand Boogie" and "Dinner With Inner." Bekkas adds roughhewn, gnawa-rooted vocals to "Subtropics/Kankani Boulila," making for a more North African sound. "Solidarity (For Moki)" opens with Kajfe?' trumpet, spaghetti western style, evoking Miles Davis' Sketches Of Spain (Columbia, 1960), before the band joins in, flutes to the fore, for a lovely, layered reading of Don Cherry's tune. On all tracks but "Solar Still," a tabla, oud and acoustic bass feature, pretty much the entire, riotous ensemble is heard. X closes with the gentle, reflective "39 Degrees," which has a pronounced Terry Riley feel to the keyboards, and synthesized harp and koto providing glistening details. Cherry's is the only tune not written by Kajfe?.
On Y, Kajfe?' and ?sterberg take up the feel of "39 Degrees" and float with it over nine improvisations. An idea of the variety of textures to be heard is suggested by the array of keyboards: Oberheim, Doepfer and Roland synthesizers, Hammond L-100, Solina string ensemble, Reaktor ensemble, Fender Rhodes, and several more. Y has beauty and substance, and is much more than a knock-off bonus disc, but X is the biggest jewel of the two, and the one that shines brightest.
Finally, a word about the packaging, which is of a standard befitting the music. The two discs come in a sumptuous hardback book which contains full page, high quality reproductions of artworks by leading Scandinavian artists, one for (almost) each track. Moki Cherry's vibrant collage, "Lots Of Things Flying," reminiscent of the space-tribal cover of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew (Columbia, 1969), is used, fittingly, for "Solidarity (For Moki)." If CDs are to survive the download age, it is imaginative, albeit relatively expensive, packaging such as this which will help them do so.
Tracks: CD1: Sand Boogie; Solidarity (For Moki); Solar Still; Subtropics/Kankani Boulila; Dinner With Inner; Sarasvati; 39 Degrees. CD2: Perfect Temperature for Leaving Home Pts. 1-9.
Personnel: CD1: Goran Kajfe?: trumpet, percussion, synthesizer bass; Jonas Kullhammar: tenor saxophone, bass saxophone, flute; Per Johansson: baritone saxophone, flute, bass drum; Jesper Nordenstr?m organ, Fender Rhodes, Logan String Melody; Robert ?stlund: Moog, electric guitar; Andres S?derstr?m: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, key harp; Johan Lindstr?m: electric guitar, guzen; Majid Bekkas: voice, oud; Hanna Ekstr?m: violin; Johan Berthling: acoustic bass, electric bass; Johan Holmegard: drums; Frederick Bj?rling: drums; Lars Skoglund: drums; Suranjana Ghosh: tablas. CD2: Goran Kajfe?: trumpet, synthesizers, keyboards, percussion; David ?sterberg: synthesizers, keyboards, percussion.
Photo Credit
Mats Andersson ">
Personnel
Goran Kajfes
trumpetAlbum information
Title: Goran Kajfes: X/Y | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Unknown label
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