Musician: Ingebrigt Håker Flaten

Burning with an untamed, but still focused energy this is neither jazz nor rock, but rather a free spirited music that in places reminds us of another trio, the criminally underrated Band Of Gypsys, the group where Hendrix sought refuge when he needed to get back into the music and away from burning guitars and delivering old hits.

The Scorch trio came about as a result of Raoul Björkenheim and Ingebrigt Håker Flaten´s meeting at the Jyvaskyla Summer Jazz Festival in 1998. Hearing each other play, it was immediately obvious to both of them that a collaboration would lead to some highly inspired energetic music. Flaten knew that his heavy rhythm section partner from the group Element, Paal Nilssen Love, was the perfect choice of a drummer, and so several concerts in Finland and a recording for the Finnish radio were set up in early 2000 (part of that recording is included on the compilation CD produced by Wolf Kampman). From the very first sounds they made together, they knew that they were on the same wavelength and subsequent concerts were arranged in Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Oslo. This led to their first recording for Rune Grammofon in 2002, which received very good reviews and was voted as one of the 10 best jazz CDs of the year in The Wire. A second CD was recorded in the winter of 2004 and released on Rune Grammofon during the fall same year.

Björkenheim gained recognition on the international scene with his own band Krakatau, recording two CD´s for ECM, and performing at many major European festivals. He developed a shamanistic intensity in his playing which reflects the influences of Hendrix, James Blood Ulmer and Ayler, bringing him to collaborations with Finnish drummer Edward Vesala, Toshinori Kondo, Bill Laswell, Ronald Shannon Jackson and Paul Schútze. Together with Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and Paal Nilssen-Love, the trio will emerge as a very interesting constellation a cross the borders. The trio works with free improvisation.

Scorch Trio live at the Tampere Jazz Happening 2003
by Matthew Wuethrich, allabaoutjazz.com, extract:
The Scorch Trio is an explosion waiting to happen. But guitarist Raoul Björkenheim, bassist Ingebrigt Flaten and drummer Paal-Nilssen Love never let the bomb go off, instead putting it on a long fuse and letting the tension mount. They are often labeled a power trio, and yes, electric guitar fireworks, heavy electric bass and free-wheeling drums do call to mind images of Hendrix and Cream, and they could blow people out of the room if they wanted to but then their more interesting sonic textures would never manifest themselves..
…So yes, there is power in this trio and Björkheim’s exuberant, active stage manner lets off a thrilling energy that might be called the ecstasy of ritual. But if a ritual does not open itself to you, does not let you see its purpose, then it is meaningless. The Scorch Trio has all three: power, purpose and meaning. The Electric Gods do indeed make love.

Some reviews from their latest album "Luggumt":

On ”Luggumt”, guitarist Raoul Björkenheim´s Scorch Trio play with even more intensity than on their self-titled debut CD. There is plenty of contrast, though. ”Synnja Vegga” is beautifully skeletal piece and ”Brennj Fynnj” skittering and intricate, but one of the reasons this collection is so successful is that Björkenheim really leads from the front, his playing galvanising his fellow trio members. On the title track, Håker Flaten turns to wah-wah fuzz bass and, in tandem with Björkenheim´s buzzing guitar, introduces it like one of those ominous, snarling live improvisations by King Crimson circa 1973. The bassist then switches to an ebullient, irregular pulse, while Björkenheim turns up to 11, flips his wig and launches off into a wah-frenzy. Here Scorch Trio come over like Lifetime, or maybe Mahavishnu Orchestra at their most unfettered. As Nilssen-Love starts to lock into a superspeed pattern punctuated by clattering rimshots and towering snare rolls, they demonstrably share the cerebal grasp of abstracted form and flow, allied with the ecstatic freedom that characterised James Blood Ulmer´s Music Revelation Ensemble. That´s lavish praise, but it´s thoroughly deserved.
The Wire (UK)

This is the second dynamic disc from Scorch Trio and we haven't heard a power trio this amazing since the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Cream or maybe even the Nels Cline Singers! ”Luggumt” explodes right from the beginning and is an immensely powerful offering. When we played it loud in our store last Saturday afternoon, everyone in the store (including guitarist Andy Summers from the Police) jumped and screamed with delight saying, "Who the fuck is this!?!" This righteous platter begins and ends with a fire-spitting electric guitar power trio eruption that will knock you off your feet. The three central pieces quiet things down a bit, yet remain spirited and inventive throughout, often spooky and filled with suspense. Raoul really knows how to make his guitar talk, scream and blast away the doldrums of modern life. Ingebrigt and Paal are a perfect match and also never cease to amaze us as well.
Downtown Music Gallery (US)

Bjørkenheim borrows from as different sources as John McLaughlin and Sonny Sharrock but without stealing from any of them. The rhythm section is one of the tightest in free music, and in trio with Raoul they revolt against the power of the habit. ”Luggumt” is a raw display of a musical direction sadly hidden for many, and a living documentation of impro. Superior! 6/6.
Aftenposten (NO)

For those of us thinking that the raw power in guitarbased rock music disappeared sometime in the seventies, or that jazzrock drifted away in endless soloing, the second album from Scorch Trio is a very welcome acquaintance. They are masters when it comes to follow the energy flow and to build up towards a climax and then pull back when that is needed. Raoul Bjørkenheim is stripped of exhibitionism and attacks the sound pallette of the guitar from many different angles, while Nilssen-Love delivers intense freeform drumming and Håker Flaten is a solid but flexible base. 6/6.
Bergens Tidende (NO)

The trio continue where they left off with their critically acclaimed debut album, with powerful, heavy jazz. Distorted guitarsound and unstoppable drive from bass and drums give an impression of a full blow-out at first listening, but after a while one senses sveral layers of dynamics, also in the heavier tunes. A bluesy tune like ”Furskuntj” does justice to comparisons with Jimi Hendrix, but that is only one of several possible references in this varied expression.
VG (NO)

Now we don´t need to speculate any more. Now we know what Jimi Hendrix could have delivered had he fought his way out of the hippie clothes and into the free sound of Miles Davis, jazz and experimental rock. Scorch Trio shows us this road on their second release, ”Luggumt”. What makes it so liberating to lend ears to ”Luggumt” is the wonderful combination of old tricks and new ideas. Hereby recommended to anyone who can imagine a musical meeting of Jimi Hendrix and Supersilent.
Panorama (NO)

One listen to “Kjøle Høle” on Scorch Trio's sophomore effort, ”Luggumt”, and you quickly realize that this may be one of the most aptly-named groups on the scene today. Blistering in its intensity, the trio combines the searing energy of a rock power trio with the broadest freedom and exploration that jazz has to offer. Kind of like Jimi Hendrix meets Albert Ayler, but with a more elastic Scandinavian time sense.
Allaboutjazz (US)

Bjørkenheim´s playing is edgy to the bone with a power any rock band will envy him. On top of that he is a very searching improvisor who is constantly challenging himself, his bandmembers and not least us who are invited to listen. Their debut album more than suggested that this was a trio that would find it´s own territory somewhere between free jazz and free rock (is there such a thing?), and with ”Luggumt” comes the confirmation. Both rock clubs, jazz clubs and festivals should line up to hire this explosive package, a more vibrant musical piece of dynamite will be hard to find anywhere these days.
Puls (NO)

RECORDINGS:

2004 ”Luggumt” Rune Grammofon

2002 «Scorch Trio» Rune Grammofon /ECM - RCD2025

[Downloads] [Reviews] [Booking]