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Atomic: Pet Variations
ByCompared to the relative stability of their past career, Pet Variations represents something of a blip for Atomic, not a revolution as such but a notable deviation from previous practice. Where their past albums largely featured material composed by members of the bandpredominantly by reed player Fredrik Ljungkvist or pianist Håvard Wiikhere, apart from the pianist's title piece, all the tracks are compositions by outsiders. And what outsiders! Check out this (alphabetical) list: Carla Bley, Jan Garbarek, Jimmy Giuffre, Steve Lacy, Olivier Messiaen, Edgar Varese, Alexander von Schlippenbach and Brian Wilson... a very eclectic bunch, but quality from start to finish.
The album opens with Wiik's "Pet Variations," so named because it explores variations of Wilson's "Pet Sounds"one of the two instrumentals on the Beach Boys' album of that namebefore seamlessly segueing into a version of it, altogether making this the album's longest track at nearly nine minutes. It features all five players in full flight, playing a series of high-energy ensemble passages interspersed with individuals or pairs of players soloing. By comparison, Lacy's "Art" has a more laid-back feel while still undeniably holding onto the jazz tag, mainly sticking to its simple but haunting melody without over embellishing it, with Wiik's piano being particularly noteworthy. A short and snappy version of Bley's "Walking Woman" is dominated by a procession of fine solos, led off by Ljungkvist's sax and Magnus Broo's trumpet.
The presence of Varese and Messiaen in the above list of composers may have prompted a double-take from some jazz fans, but they need not worry as both pieceson either side of Jimmy Giuffre's poignant "Cry Want"fit beautifully into the album, sounding perfectly natural and at home. Atomic are to be congratulated on their selection and execution of the pair. After the Messiaen piece, the album draws to a close with two more European compositions,"Inri" by von Schlippenbach, and Garbarek's "Karin's Mode." Both are full-blooded American jazz from start to finish and bring the album to a rip-roaring conclusion.
When composing artists cover other songwriters' music, it can be anything from a holding operationwitness Rahsaan Roland Kirk's Other Folk's Songs (Atlantic, 1976) or David Bowie's Pin Ups (RCA, 1973)to a mistake (Dylan's Self Portrait (Columbia, 1970), anyone?) but rarely a masterwork. Now, Pet Variations breaks that pattern, and deserves to be hailed as a triumph. One of Atomic's best to date.
Track Listing
Pet Variations/Pet Sounds; Art; Walking Woman; Un Grand Sommeil Noir; Cry Want; Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus; Inri; Karin’s Mode.
Personnel
Atomic
band / ensemble / orchestraFredrik Ljungkvist: saxophone, clarinet; Magnus Broo: trumpet; Håvard Wiik: piano; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten: bass; Hans Hulbækmo: drums.
Album information
Title: Pet Variations | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Odin Records
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