Flukten was formed in 2020 while the pandemic was at its peak and the name optimistically translates as “the escape”. As a means to let off steam and enjoy the moment, the sharp witted indie-jazz of their enjoyable 2021 debut Velkommen Håp (“welcome hope”) was rightly honoured with a Norwegian Grammy.
Each musician is a rising star in their own right, and the group’s collective CV includes work with Moskus, Wako, The Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Espen Berg’s trio and Atomic.
Moving into slightly freer terrain this time around, a surprising number of the pieces still manage to blossom into full-blown ear-worms. All but two tracks (by Klovning) were composed by Hulbækmo, who has clearly assimilated the music of Paul Motian. Ambiguous harmonies and pulses coalesce around angular melodic lines, each musician acutely aware of the space that they occupy.
The title track opens with an unexpected baroque flourish from Poulsen’s arco bass, Paulsberg’s typically robust solo picking up the fractured melodic shards of the dramatic theme. The off-kilter funk of Omar’s Theme reminds me of the Scofield-Lovano quartet, and this time composer Klovning steals the limelight. Abundans, another Klovining composition, briefly suggests Frisell’s lonely Americana, while the good natured sparring between Paulsberg and Klovning on Mandela is breathtaking.
Elsewhere the sparse Ayleresque theme of Dekonstruert Komle is redolent of early 70s Garbarek, and Hulbækmo’s ingenious solo is simply stunning. The relaxed groove of Monica Frå Svolvær, one of two live tracks, is stretched to near destruction, while the enigmatic Sir Henry briefly hangs out in Threadgill’s cellular world. The childlike melody of the closing Bjørni Sover carries unmistakable echoes of late 60s Ornette, and as Klovning’s twanging Telecaster guides the set to a rousing climax, Flukten bid farewell with a wry but satisfying smile.
Discography
Flukten; Omar’s Theme; Abundans; Mandela; Dekonstruert Komle; Monica Frå Svolvær; Sir Henry; Bjørni Sover (42.34)
Hanna Paulsberg (ts); Marius Klovning (elg); Bárður R. Poulsen (b); Hans Hulbækmo (d). Oslo, 8-9 May 2023. Tracks 7 & 8 recorded live at Dokkhuset, Trondheim, 24 February 2023.
Odin Records ODIN CD/LP 95893
