BY ALTUĞ KARAKURT (EE/II)
altug.karakurt@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
This week we are featuring the Norwegian experimental blackjazzists Shining in the music recommendations. Shining was formed in 1999 as a jazz quartet. Their first album was a very well-composed, complex and technical, but still melodic jazz album. Yet, it did not offer anything very new or personal (although I recommend it to fans of the genre). However, because of the progressive and experimental tendencies of Shining’s frontman, Jorgen Munkeby, there was a slight shift away from their classical musical approach toward experimentation in every album after that.
The breakthrough came with their fifth studio album, “Blackjazz,” in 2010. The title of the album defines the newer style of the band pretty well. The new Shining employs sophisticated and technical jazz elements in the background, adding to these very heavy and experimental lead partitions, such as distorted vocals, heavy bass lines with electronic effects and atonal saxophone and clarinet solos. They express a harsh and often aggressive mood using their technical, progressive composition skills and offer a very sophisticated, mostly personal and diverse sound.
One of the most noteworthy things about the band is their live performances. Even though they use mixing, production and electronic effects frequently, they are still able to preserve their sound on stage as well as in their studio recordings.
If you are curious about Shining’s music, keep in mind that there is another band with the same name from Sweden. If you look for the band as “Shining NOR,” you will find the Norwegian blackjazzist Shining much more easily.
Check out the songs: Their cover of “21st Century Schizoid Man,” “Madness and the Damage Done” and, as an example of their early stuff, “Hell’s Bells.” I suggest you choose their live recordings, since they are as good as the studio versions.
Recommended for: Their earlier stuff for jazz fans, and their Blackjazz style for experimental music lovers and admirers of heavy or progressive music.
Brief Music Update
– The Ankara Nordic Music Festival is coming up — it will be held at Cermodern on October 29-31. This is a relatively small festival, hosting only three bands. The guests are Lars Danielsson, the Tord Gustavsen Quartet and Beady Belle. However, don’t let the name of the event deceive you — these bands play jazz (Tord Gustavsen, Lars Danielsson) or jazz-based female vocal-oriented music (Beady Belle), not Nordic ethnic music. All of them are pretty influential representatives of their genre. If you have time, be sure to check it out.
– Another interesting event is the ATMM (Audio Technologies for Music and Media) conference, which will take place October 31-November 1 on Bilkent’s Main Campus. Throughout both days, various presenters will give talks on the music industry, sound engineering and sound design. This conference is open to everyone who is interested in music and sound in general. The program will feature detailed technical presentations for professionals in these fields as well as talks geared more toward a non-specialist audience, requiring no previous background.
Mixtape #1
In case you were looking for some jazz and electronic music fusion, combined with a pinch of hip-hop instrumentals, here is the cure for you. Don’t forget, these tracks are listed in the order in which they should be listened to.
Shining – Hell’s Bells
The Roy Hargrove Quintet – Strasbourg/St. Denis
Portico Quartet – Ruins
BADBADNOTGOOD – DMZ
Scenery – Crashing Down
Oddisee – All Along The River
See you next time with an electronic/folk/doom singer-songwriter, Mixtape #2 and announcements about music.
Feel free to send comments and feedback.