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Eivind Opsvik: Overseas V

By Karl Ackermann
March 30, 2017
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Like his first four Overseas albums, Eivind Opsvik's Overseas V defies conventional descriptions. The New York resident, of Norwegian roots, has developed a peculiar style that marries experimental avant-garde with the folkloric traditions of the North Country. This had been particularly evident on IV when

Brandon Seabrook

guitar
b.1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Brandon Seabrook's mandolin and

Jacob Sacks

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jacob Sacks' harpsichord meet up with

Tony Malaby

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Malaby's saxophone and

Kenny Wollesen

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Wollesen creative percussion. The cultural clash manages to succeed as a new entity. The quintet personnel remain the same, but the old-world vibe is diminished in favor of a multi-directional edginess on the new album.

Opsvik studied classical bass at the Norwegian Academy of Music and had played with

Paal Nilssen-Love

drums
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Paal Nilssen-Love and

Christian Wallumrod

piano
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian Wallumrod before relocating to the US in 1998. In NYC he teamed up on projects with

Anthony Braxton

woodwinds
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Braxton,

John Zorn

saxophone, alto
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">John Zorn and

Nate Wooley

trumpet
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate Wooley to name just a few. Opsvik's Overseas project relates to his two homes and the Atlantic between them; the concept helps to explain the core divergences in his compositions. The current band has been intact since 2005 with the exception of Seabrook who joined in 2010 (and who is showing up everywhere these days).

While there are stylistic differences between IV and V, Opsvik's eccentric composing and arranging are no easier to clarify. The opening "I'm Up This Step" is a case in point with its progressive rock shadings meshing with modern jazz and some less tangible aspects as Seabrook and Malaby engage in a tug-of-war. Wollesen supplies powerful, primal rhythms on "Hold Everything" seemingly taking Sacks and Malaby to a different plane. The leader shines in his diverse playing on "Brraps!"-something of a dance tune in an asymmetrical spin cycle. "Katmania Duskmann" is a feverish mashup of rock guitar and wailing saxophone with Wollesen keeping a thread of coherence. The drummer, in fact, has a more consistently dominant role on Overseas V as heard in the unrelenting beat that invites Seabrook and Opsvik to follow suit on "First Challenge of the Road."

The collection has an odd way of feeling like a lucid program even as it morphs through seemingly un-diagrammed changes; as in the broad inspirations for "IZO" and the angular avant-garde stylings of "Cozy Little Nightmare." Sacks and Opsvik—while very integral to the proceedings—are a bit more nuanced on Overseas V but this isn't a recording that relies on solos. The complexity of Opsvik's arrangeing is in the constantly moving pieces within his unique compositions.

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Track Listing

I'm Up This Step; Hold Everything; Extraterrestrial Tantrum; Brraps!; Cozy Little Nightmare; First Challenge on the Road; Shoppers and Pickpockets; IZO; Katmania Duskmann.

Personnel

Eivind Opsvik

bass

Tony Malaby: sassofono (tenore); Brandon Seabrook: chitarra elettrica; Jacob Sacks: piano, organo; Eivind Opsvik: contrabbasso, elettronica, drum machine; Kenny Wollesen: batteria, percussioni, drum machine.

Album information

Title: Overseas V | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Loyal Label

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