While of course it’s wonderful to hear a woman jazz saxophonist showcased in free music for a change, I confess I’m not enjoying Off The Hook! – Live at Motvind (SHEEP CHASE RECORDS SCR032) very much…the group Sun & Steel is led by Marthe Lea, a Norwegian tenor player who also happens to play the guitar, and has played in bands Andreas Røysum Ensemble, Marthe Lea Band, Paal Nilssen-Love Large Unit, Vilhelm Bromanders Initiativ, Völvur, and Yūgen, so we have probably heard her work in at least one context before. Joined here by pianist Isach Skeidsvoll and bassist Oyvind Storesund, plus the ubiquitous workhorse Paal Nilssen-Love on drums and percussion on these live recordings made in 2021 during the Motvind Festival. Plenty of energy, musical rapport, attention to dynamics, and the musicians are clearly having a great time. Grumpy old me, I just feel a bit overpowered by the relentless “bulldozer” effect of this non-stop and lengthy (33 mins) jam, even when they’re playing the quieter passages; despite all the prowess on offer, there’s still something slightly heavy-handed and formless about Nordic jazz which I can’t stomach right now. Released in April 2023.
