John Fordham 

Nils Petter Molvaer: Switch review – a striking new statement from trumpet star

Fusion star Nils Petter Molvaer switches from prog-rock to a softer sound for his new album, but his many musical appeals remain intact, writes John Fordham
  
  

Nils Petter Molvaer
Affectingly fragile … Nils Petter Molvaer. Photograph: Oliver Heisch Photograph: Oliver Heisch/PR

Ambient/fusion trumpet star Molvaer has jettisoned the prog-rock sound of his 2012 album Baboon Moon, and switched to softer settings for his American-label debut, in a band including pedal steel guitarist Geir Sundstøl, and electronicist Morten Qvenild (of Susanna & the Magical Orchestra). He has certainly lost none of his signature credentials en route – such as his affectingly fragile trumpet tone, and subtle textural and dynamic sense. Molvaer and Sundstøl often ruminate in tandem here (notably on the four trance-like Intrusion tracks), or are unobtrusively tailed by woody percussion and tabla-like sounds, but the moods aren't all tranquil – Erland Dahlen's elemental drumming pounds under the shimmering harmonies and Molvaer's ballad-Miles whispers on The Kit, while edgy, rattling percussion rocks beneath Strange Pillows, and Bathroom stomps along with huge drum hits and bugged-trumpet chords. It's a fine band, a strong repertoire, and a striking new Molvaer statement.

 

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