現代音楽からプログレッシヴ・ロック、ジャズ、エレクトロニカまで様々なスタイルを取り入れながら活動をしているノルウェーが誇る異能音楽集団ジャガ・ジャジストが、実に5年ぶりとなる最新アルバム『Pyramid』をフライング・ロータス率いる〈Brainfeeder〉よりリリース!

バンドにとって初となるセルフ・プロデュース作品となった本作は、日本人の作曲家でシンセ奏者の冨田勲に捧げられた「Tomita」や、フェラ・クティが活動拠点としたライヴ・ハウスに由来する「The Shrine」などアルバムそのものをコンセプト・アルバムとは形容せずとも、各楽曲のタイトルをコンセプチュアルなスタート地点と位置付けており、聴き手は楽曲からどんな物語も描きだすことができる全4曲39分を収録。電子音を駆使した80年代のジャズ・バンドを源泉に、各楽器のミニマルな演奏が有機的なシンフォニーとスケールを生み出す先行シングル「Spiral Era」をはじめ、プログレッシヴなバンド・アンサンブルは円熟の季節を迎えながら、行間にはスピリチュアルでサイケデリックな音楽的至福が溢れる〈Brainfeeder〉からのリリースも文句なしの作品となった。

発売・販売元 提供資料 （2020/02/28）

Jaga Jazzists 2020 full-length Pyramid arrived five years after Starfire, which found the Norwegian ensemble writing longer, more suite-like compositions. Pyramid seems to head in a similar direction, with four pieces clocking in at 39 minutes, but this one is actually breezier and less complex than some of their other efforts. While Starfire was a dense, sprawling work which took two years to write and record, Pyramid (the bands first self-produced record) was created in just two weeks, as the band spent 12-hour days working in a remote studio in Sweden. The albums short gestation period resulted in one of their most effortless-sounding releases, one which flows naturally while making some exciting diversions. The first piece is named after Japanese electronic pioneer Tomita, and there are traces of his familiar, twinkling synth tones audible during the tracks nebulous beginning. As soft drums and drum machines trickle in, a rhythm builds and simmers, eventually working up to a galloping pace. By the last few minutes, it shifts into a colorful array of fuzzy guitars, cool sci-fi synths, and wordless vocals, feeling adventurous and energetic without being challenging. Spiral Era continues in this mood, with sparkling synths and a tricky but flowing rhythm, eventually cresting with funky but restrained guitar licks and cosmic melodies. Space disco king Prins Thomas made a killer dance mix of the track, attaching a heavy shuffle beat and bringing out its hypnotic, interstellar qualities. Following The Shrine, which boasts perky, festive horn arrangements wedded to an Afrobeat-inspired groove, the album concludes with Apex, perhaps Jagas most fully realized dance track yet. Sounding more live than programmed, its percolating rhythm, atmospheric guitars, and prismatic synths converge in a joyous rapture. While just as brainy and elaborate as Jaga Jazzists other albums, Pyramid is the sound of the group letting themselves go and following their instincts, arriving at some of their most unbound, easily enjoyable material. ~ Paul Simpson

Rovi