ATOMIC
Fredrik Ljungkvist (SE) – saxophones
Magnus Broo (SE) – trumpet
Håvard Wiik (N) – piano
Ingebrigt H. Flaten (N) – bass
Paal Nilssen-Love (N) – drums
Atomic’s debut CD Feet Music received standing ovations from critics and music lovers worldwide:
“Debut of the year!” John Fordham in The Guardian (UK) described music and musicians as “One of the most exhilarating new groups on the European circuit!”
Not surprising at all, their second release, Boom Boom, was looked forward to with thrilling impatience – and was met with great applause and the norwegian Grammy! Critic Terje Mosnes (Norw. paper Dagbladet) gave Boom Boom 6 out of 6 possible marks, and wrote: “A classic from Atomic! A strong candidate for The Jazz Cd of the year! Not since the Garbarek-Stenson Quartet’s high-times in the 70’s, a Swedish-Norwegian jazz cooperation has reached such successful heights as what is about to happen with Atomic right now. Their latest release Boom Boom definitely contributes to confirm this fact! Atomic is not only a classical jazz quintet; these musicians also demonstrate an original approach where jazz history from the 20’s towards today sparkles and boils through a highly vital contemporary expression. It is classical Coltrane, blue note-grooves, Miles Davis’ 64-68-quartet. It is modern expressive jazz from the “top shelf”, a Europe/American jazz classic of noblest mark! And Ken Vandermark’s liner notes give a brilliant observation from the inside on the meaning of it all.”
How do you follow up the release of a universally acclaimed triple live album? By releasing a CD filled to the brim with 65 minutes of amazing new material. The combined talent of Fredrik Ljungkvist (saxophones, clarinet), Magnus Broo (trumpet), Paal Nilssen-Love (drums), Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (bass) and Håvard Wiik (piano) is just that: Atomic. The scandinavian quintet don’t waste their time or their talent on their new release Happy New Ears! It is only last june we had the pleasure of indulging in the three disks of The Bikini Tapes. During two session days in february and one in early november, the ten brand new compositions on display here came to light, at Bugges Room-studios in Oslo, Norway. Writing credits are shared between Ljungkvist and Wiik, with Broo contributing the stellar piece ”St Lureplass”. It ranks among their best work, period. From the chewing tobacco mania of ”Two Boxes Left” (Ljungkvist) to the staggeringly beautiful weltschmerz of ”Closing Stages” (Wiik); Atomic here touches upon the very essence of their music. Atomic may have started out as a not-exactly quiet protest against what was considered to be the scandinavian sound; the frosty tundra bite of ECM lyricism. However, after their two studio albums Feet Music (2002) and Boom Boom (2003), Atomic quickly came to epitomize a scandinavian sound all of their own. Much has been said about their blend of the explosive american free jazz tradition, and the more complex european stylings. This new album put them firmly in the Atomic tradition. The sibling rivalry of the swedish horn section, the all over the place percussive beingthereness of Nilssen-Love, the long distance runs of Håker Flaten, and the mighty, magic fingertips of Wiik: part academic lecture, part fun night out. And this might be a factor in the Atomic appeal: without compromising the music at all, they have managed to bring it outside of an esoteric circle of musical know-how, and into a larger circle of wanna-know-hows. After powerful, spirited gigs throughout Europe, USA, and Japan, they have gained an evergrowing following of fans. If we are to judge from the music presented on Happy New Ears!, it will not exactly take rocket science to predict that the future is ear-shaped.
Arild R. Andersen in Norwegian paper Aftenposten gave 5 out of 6 possible marks, and wrote: “Either this band do their own original music or other’s compositions, they present pure innovation on behalf of tradition. They are bloodsuckers in one moment, blood givers in the next. They demonstrate a highly developed ability to loosen from the sources without forgetting the reference points. Atomic consist of 5 individualists who give generous lessons in collectivism and fellowship.”
Atomic and/or the band members are more or less regularly given attention by music magazines like Down Beat, Jazz Times and Double Bassist. Stuart Nicholson (Jazz Times) ranked Feet Music as the No. 5 album of the year 2002, worldwide, and Atomic’s 2002 concerts in London and Stockholm as the 2. Best music experiences, everything else taken into consideration (after Tomasz Stankos concert in Warsaw).
RECORDINGS:
2006 Atomic "happy new ears" (jazzland)
Download the album now
2005 Atomic live "the bikini tapes" 3x CD Box (jazzland)
Download the album now
2004 Vandermark5 VS Atomic "Flammable Material Poster Boxset"
Live recording from Green Mill/Chicago with posters from their US dobbeltour in june 2004 Atavistic
2004 School Days/Atomic ”nuqlear assembly hall” okkadisk
Boom Boom (Jazzland/Universal, August 2003)
Feet Music (Jazzland./Universal 2001)
Past and future activity:
Sept./Oct. 2003: Touring Norway/France/Spain (2 weeks)
Feb./March 2004: Norwegian Tour (3 weeks)
May/June 2004: One week tour, Europe
June 2004: Three week’s tour USA (with Vandermark 5)
July-Aug 2004: European festivals (San Sebastian/Spain, Molde/Norway, Kongsberg/Norway, Haparanda/Sweden ++)
Oct. 2004: French Tour (2 weeks)
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