Erland Dahlen - 2023 - Racoons [mini-review]

(37:30; Is It Jazz? Records)



















Norwegian artist Erland Dahlen is out with the album "Racoons", and while I suspect that this production doesn't really fit into any specific subgenre of music I'd say that progressive rock may be the most suitable genre home for this production. While I presume other instruments have been involved, the dominant instruments throughout are keyboards, synthesizers and drums. The drums are the most vital ingredient, serving up expressive drum patterns and exquisite percussion details with elegance and ease throughout, with busy and intense surges as well as subtle and careful details provided in equal measure. Layered keyboard and synthesizer arrangements float and fluctuate on top, ebbing and flowing in line but also against the flow of the rhythms, albeit with the former mainly being the case. Various noise inserts and subtle undercurrents appear and disappear throughout, with a constant array of small and some major movements being a part of the experience all along. If you fancy an album revolving around exquisite and expressive yet also compelling drum patterns combined with a synthesizer and keyboard dominated instrumental backing that very loosely fits into a progressive rock context, then this is an album that should be quite the intriguing experience.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2023

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063804630105
https://isitjazzrecords.no/

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