Arise, the second
RareNoise album by
Interstatic, builds on the edgy assertions of their 2012 self-titled debut, and creates a more instinctive, griot and groove-laden dialogue. The power trio is comprised of
Naked Truth's B-3 boss
Roy Powell on Hammond organ, Norwegian guitarist
Jacob Young (
Mathias Eick,
Trygve Seim) on guitar, and drummer
Jarle Vespestad of
Supersilent -- as well as
Tord Gustavsen -- fame. For those who've only heard
Young's records on
ECM, his axe-slinging role in
Interstatic will come as somewhat of a shock. Over nine tracks, this trio utilizes the common ground of rhythmic blues, jazz, and funk-based vamps to spiral off into uncharted waters of edgy, vanguard prog, electric jazz-rock, and free improv. "Caerbannog" has a knotty arpeggiatic jazz head; it moves along a tense tightrope of squalling fusion (you've never heard a B-3 sound like this before), metallic guitar riffs, and popping breaks. "Alpha Dog" is wide-open post-bop investigation with sideways, angular soloing between
Young and
Powell. "Frank'll Fix It" may (or not) refer to
Frank Zappa's
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar series albums, but the interplay between
Vespestad and
Young more resembles the interplay between
Jimi Hendrix and
Buddy Miles with
Powell adding some wonderfully tight basslines underneath. But things can become wonderfully atmospheric, too. "Iwato" finds
Powell almost swooning through the middle of
Young's caterwauling, pulsing solo as
Vespestad bathes them in cymbals and softly resonating snare. As evidenced by two recordings, this is a fantastic trio;
Interstatic sound like they have their feet firmly planted underneath them and a wide-open vision.
Arise has such a wide appeal, it will resonate equally with fans of
John McLaughlin,
Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood, and
Caspar Broetzmann. ~ Thom Jurek
