Mikrokolektyw: Absent Minded

Mikrokolektyw (duo)
Absent Minded (Delmark; 2013)
Artur Majewski (electronics, trumpet)
Kuba Suchar (electronics, drums)

Well it's been three years since we heard the dynamic and creative duo Mikroklektyw. They have been working in various forms with their respective collaborative groups but finally we get hear their dense, expansive imagination again on Absent Minded.

Absent Minded delves deeper into the rabbit hole of sound as the duo completely restructure our thoughts on what jazz and sound sculpture can be. A slightly less emphasis on the electronics from it's predecessor, Revisit, Mikrokolektyw are still exploring melodies that burst out of spontaneity than structure.

"Thistle Soup" and "Crazy Idea" a great sources improvisation exploding into melody before you know it. Majewski provides sharp notes that are juxtaposed to Suchar blistering pace and while at first seem completely unrelated slow unravel to showcase a beautiful picture of sound and space.

"Fossil Stairway" is the one track that does hearken back to Revisit's electronic elements. A cascade of sound, almost like air raids. This, all the while, Majewski and Suchar are weaving between the noise with pattens that set a rough but fun path for the listener to follow.

Fun might the other way to describe "Little Warrior" in which the tribal elements of this piece reminded me of Les Baxter, Raymond Scott, Don Cherry shoved in a room with Chris & Cosey (of Throbbing Gristle) and told to make beautiful music. This is what they might come up with. Intriguing, beat-driven, exotic and masterfully executed.

Absent Minded is great follow up to Revisit. And Mikrokolektyw have shown that they are a duo with layers of ideas and will continue to challenge our conceptions. Once again, for me, they have made one the best albums of this year.

The Intersection: Alog

The Intersection is an ongoing feature on JazzWrap that looks at artists that have blended jazz, world and electronica in new and highly creative ways.

Alog (duo)

Unemployed (Rune Grammofon; 2011)
Espen Sommer Eide (percussion, trumpet, electronics)
Dag-Are Haugan (guitar, electronics)

The Norwegian duo, Alog have matured with each release. As they've grown, so have the sound techniques and dimensions of their recordings. Their fifth full-length release, Unemployed, is a major milestone in the duo's development.


Built on pure improvisation, Alog looked to create a soundscape on the spot as opposed to starting with one theme. Yes the ideas how to start the first few notes or lines was always a part of the mix but after that it was up to the participants to decide where to go next.

Unemployed is a testament to the free flowing aesthetics of European music and what it means to go beyond genres. In some ways this is almost the most alternative and accessible record to date by the group. The album features collaborations with a variety of fellow Norwegian musicians including Sigbjorn Apeland (of 1982 Trio). "Orgosolo" features the duo's signature harmonic drones but with the inclusion of what feel like deep horns and pulsating organ-like movements, Alog have created a haunting operatic and transcendent hymn.


"Unemployed" revolves around a looping hypnotic gallop that would make A Guy Called Gerald and Aphex Twin very excited. It's a wintry mix of loops, clangs, claps and effects that swirl into a melody. It gave me memories of Bruce Gilbert's (of Wire) side project He Said. Dreamy and evolving work that leads the listener along a journey beyond sound borders.

"Last Day At The Assembly Line" could easily be part of a Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire or Test Department album. There are "found sounds," electronics and drums that blend into a tribal cacophony that sounds like a cello/fiddle ensemble gone mad. The piece later gives way to a melodic drone and the buzzsaw of cacophony is laid underneath. Only to return towards the end with a vengeance along with a number of counterpoints. "Bomlo Brenn Om Natta" featuring warped vocals by Dutch poet, Jaap Blank, is rhythmic and intense like some of the better work by Moby. Not danceable but an intense beautiful listen.

"Januar" is a return to their previous work. It's beautiful ghostly atmospherics have a repetitive nature that are dreamlike and pull you further into the speakers to Alog's own "third world." Again, Alog have moved a little bit further than their contemporaries with ideas that seem so remote but yet feel deeply personal and accessible. Unemployed is sublime and highly recommended.