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The Opposite: Interwined

By Eyal Hareuveni
March 23, 2010
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This Swedish sextet was initiated by Malm?-based French keyboardist Lo?c Dequidt and drummer Peter Nilsson—the latter one of the leaders of the Malm?-based Kopasetic Label's musicians collective, which investigates improvisational interplay through a democratic, collective group approach based on a dynamic rhythmic concepts that lean on Indian, African and Cuban traditions. Their instincts proved right since the group's debut, Intertwined, recently won "Best Jazz Album of 2009" at the Swedish indie awards, Manifestgalan.

The immediate references that come to mind are '70s-era

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis electric outfits, early

Weather Report

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Weather Report and

Sun Ra

piano
1914 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Sun Ra Arkestra in its more coherent moments. This ensemble has, indeed, a strong and focused rhythmic identity and organic fluidity, but without the bombast excess of most fusion outfits. There is also a clear feeling of joyful playfulness, with healthy dose of humor and eccentric outbursts more typical of

Fred Frith

guitar
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Frith's ensembles. All sextet members—all active in Malm?'s fertile music scene—sound mature, possessing distinct musical voices, especially guitarist Samuel H?llkvist, who sound as if he is taking

Marc Ducret

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Marc Ducret's angular and distorted lines a step further, and the assured playing of alto saxophonist Marcelo Gabard Pazos...and, of course, the powerhouse drumming of Nilsson.

All six compositions—credited to Dequidt and H?llkvist with the exception of one collective composition by the entire group—feature complex turns and cues, without being too dense. Dequidt's "I Said Haha" is one of the most intense, featuring the sextet's tight interplay and immediate role and solo changing. The free-improv "Seau d'air" is an arresting example how a spare improvisation and distant jagged playing by H?llkvist, Paazos can gel naturally with Dequidt and Nilsson's melodic lines, later crystallizing into a multilayered and cohesive collective sound. H?llkvist's "Les d��lices de la mer" and the closing "Switch Foot Pogo" reference clearly Weather Report and even

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett's American quartet with its captivating shiny themes and infectious grooves.

This a highly original sextet, wise enough to balance form and freedom, intellect and emotion, and childish joy of playfulness, with tight and focus compositional delivery.

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Track Listing

The Opposite; I Said Haha; Seau d'air; Les d��lices de la mer; By No Means!; Switch Foot Pogo

Personnel

The Opposite

Marcelo Gabard Pazos: saxophone; Samuel H?llkvist: guitar; Lo?c Dequidt: piano, electric piano; David Carlsson: electric bass; Peter Nilsson: drums; Anders Vesterg?rd: percussion.

Album information

Title: Interwined | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Kopasetic Productions

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