Krokofant with Ståle Storløkken & Ingebrigt Håker Flaten "Q"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Instrumental Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: Rune Grammofon -  RLP3209/RCD2209
Format: CD, vinyl+CD
Release date: September 27, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. Q Part 1
2. Q Part 2
3. Q Part 3
4. Q Part 4

Line-up: 
Tom Hasslan - guitars
Axel Skalstad - drums
Jørgen Mathisen - saxophone
Ståle Storløkken (Elephant9) - keyboards
Ingebrigt Håker Flaten - bass

Description/Reviews: 

After three albums in a little over three years they felt a need to try something new, taking the band one step further. Especially Tom Hasslan, guitarist and main composer, felt an urge to expand the canvas and sonic possibilities of his writing and playing. Hasslan´s tunes are perfect vehicles for keyboard player Ståle Storløkken (Elephant9, Supersilent, Terje Rypdal) to present the full scope of his playing; from sheer pastoral beauty to full on jazz skronk. The same can be said about Mathisen, who is given ample room for soloing. The tunes are rich in harmonic structures and melodic hooks, and with the distinctive sax/organ combination it´s difficult not to occasionally think of Van der Graaf Generator in their prime. By introducing Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (The Thing, Scorch Trio, Atomic) on electric bass, work was lifted from Hasslan´s shoulders and a "proper" rhythm section was born, Skalstad and Flaten instantly bonding. 

Media/Samples 
Q Part 1

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Krokofant "III"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Instrumental Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: Rune Grammofon (RCD2189)
Format: vinyl+CD
Release date: February 17, 2017
Tracklist: 
1. Tommy Synth (8:23)
2. Clazz (6:55)
3. Juice (6:44)
4. Double Dad (7:02)
5. Wrong Turn (10:19)

Total time 39:23

Line-up: 
Tom Hasslan - guitars
Axel Skalstad - drums
Jørgen Mathisen - saxophone, syntheziser

Description/Reviews: 

Krokofant typify a new and invigorating movement currently sweeping across the Nordic region: hard boiled improvisation and strong instrumental personalities bolted onto rock beats and driving rhythms. Equally powerful on record and on stage, Krokofant pull no punches, sounding off like some unholy three-way marriage of early 70s jazz rock (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Terje Rypdal), the sprawling progressive odysseys of King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator, and the fierce heat of John Zorn or Peter Brötzmann’s harsh free jazz ensembles. If their 2014 debut album was a fresh breath of youthful energy, the follow-up showed a trio more confident of their abilities after extended live work. Their third album in just three years follows in this tradition, with Mathisen´s fat syntheziser tones adding a new colour to the soundscape. They still ally a strong discipline with wide, exploratory arcs, Tom’s agile guitar and Jørgen’s snaking sax fighting to break out, just held in check by Axel’s tough, rhythmic tumble. Only 23 years old, the young drummer is something of a sensation, combining pure energy with superior technical skills. This is a trio where you can hear the individuals pushing each other to new hights while keeping the solid group foundation intact.

Media/Samples 
Tommy Synth

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Krokofant "II"

Country: Norway
Genre(s): Instrumental Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: Rune Grammofon
Format: CD, vinyl
Release date: November 13, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. C.O.T.A
2. Sail Ahead
3. Nieu
4. The Ship
5. Snakedog
6. Watchtower

Line-up: 
Tom Hasslan - guitars
Axel Skalstad - drums
Jørgen Mathisen - saxophone

Description/Reviews: 

This young, semi-improvising power trio typify a new and invigorating movement currently sweeping across the Nordic region: hard boiled improvisation and strong instrumental personalities bolted onto rock beats and driving rhythms. Equally powerful on record and on stage, Krokofant pull no punches, sounding off like some unholy three-way marriage of early 70s jazz rock (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Terje Rypdal, Ray Russell), the sprawling progressive odysseys of King Crimson and Henry Cow, and the fierce heat of Peter Brötzmann’s harsh free jazz ensembles. If last years debut was a fresh breath of youthful energy, this follow-up shows a trio very confident of their abilities. They ally a strong discipline with wide, exploratory arcs, Tom’s agile guitar and Jørgen’s snaking sax are always fighting to break out, just held in check by Axel’s tough, rhythmic tumble. Only 22 years old, the young drummer is something of a sensation, combining pure energy with superior technical skills. This is a trio where you can hear the individuals pushing each other to new hights while keeping the solid group foundation intact.

Media/Samples 
C.O.T.A

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Krokofant "Krokofant"

Country: Norway
Sub Genre: Instrumental Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: Rune Grammofon
Release date: February 14, 2014
Tracklist: 

1. Polyfant
2. Supermann
3. Bodega
4. Thispair
5. EJS
6. Castaway

Line-up: 
Tom Hasslan - guitars
Axel Skalstad - drums
Jørgen Mathisen - saxophone

Description/Reviews: 

This young, semi-improvising power trio typify a new and invigorating movement currently sweeping across the Nordic region: hard boiled improvisation and strong instrumental personalities bolted onto rock beats and driving rhythms. Live, Krokofant pull no punches, sounding off like some unholy three-way marriage of early 70s jazz rock (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Terje Rypdal, Ray Russell), the sprawling progressive odysseys of King Crimson and Henry Cow, and the fierce heat of Peter Brötzmann’s harsh free jazz ensembles. They ally a strong discipline (check the precision riffing of the intro to ‘Supermann’) with wide, exploratory arcs (the closing, balladic epic, ‘Castaway’). Tom’s agile guitar and Jørgen’s snaking sax are always fighting to break out, just held in check by Axel’s tough, rhythmic tumble (which gets almost funky on ‘Bodega’). 

Media/Samples 
Bodega

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