Wako will release their third album 31st of August 2018. A live album recorded in the legendary Norwegian studio, Athletic Sound. The band explores the possibilities for the quartet, and as a listener you will always get a surprise for each listening. Wako has through the last years gone a new direction inspired by improvisation and textures, mixed with simple but well done compositions and ideas, and they play this mix in a way Øra is very proud to represent.
Walco © Signe Fuglesteg Luksengard
This is realism walking in expressionist shoes along a well-paved path. That path was created by Wako, both as a collective and as individuals. Where similar groups would regard a "jazz composition" as merely a framework for an extended solo (or three), Wako operate as a unified musical consciousness, thinking, dreaming, reacting and planning together. While pianist Kjetil André Mulelid and saxophonist Martin Myhre Olsen each take individual composer credits on several tracks, the group coherence and synergy means that bassist Bárður Reinert Poulsen and drummer Simon Olderskog Albertsen are integral to the final delivery of the music. The Wako philosophy is one of "music first"; "Urolige sinn" is that philosophy made flesh.
Walco © Signe Fuglesteg Luksengard
Coming from the vanguard of the New Wave of Nordic Jazz, Wako are one of the most dynamic and innovative groups on the scene. Touring extensively since 2015, they have honed their stagecraft and performances, garnering a solid fanbase and critical acclaim along the way.
Described as having "buoyancy and originality" by Terje Mosnes (Jazz i Norge - Norway), as possessing "a very personal and distinctive sound" (Mike Collin, London Jazz News - UK), and as creating music that "would melt even the blackest heart" (Bird is the Worm – USA), Wako have brought their ever-evolving musicianship and creativity to impressive live renditions of their work across Europe, including collaborative performances with Oslo Strings and with Norwegian trumpeter ne plus ultra, Arve Henriksen. The scope of their musical reach is always finely attuned in equal measures to audience, environment and source material, meaning not only is each concert superlative, but also a unique experience. In short, Wako are one of the most impressive young live acts today, signalling a healthy future for jazz in Norway and beyond. Individually, the members are part of different bands and projects, such as Hegge (Norwegian grammy award winner 2017), Megalodon Collective (Norwegian grammy nominee 2016,Espen Berg trio (NTNU ambassadors 2016), Kjetil Mulelid Trio, Kjemilie and the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra with Chick Corea.
Wako is:
Production:
Produced and arranged by Wako
Recorded by Dag Erik Johansen on the 2nd and 3rd of October 2017, at Athletic Sound, Norway
Mixed and mastered by Karl Klaseie at Greener Mastering
Cover photo by Anders Beer Wilse: “Skavlet føre” 1909
Cover design by Christian Meaas Svendsen
Tracklist:
1. Jernvilje
2. Skavlet føre
3. Skumring og det som hører til
4. Den endeløse planen
5. Du gråter aldri
6. Elisabeths vise
7. Revelje
8. Snart blir jeg far
9. En liten halvtime senere
10. Skogens uklare omriss
11. Svovelpredikant
12. De som viste oss rundt
13. Langt, langt der nede
All compositions by Wako, except:
2, 9, 13 by Kjetil André Mulelid
6, 7, 8 by Martin Myhre Olsen
