NODS OFF "In the Space Between" ( Einnicken Records )
"Think of early-‘70s King Crimson delving into avant garde rock territory, as this Swedish quartet lets it all hang out in arowdy sort of way. However, the band’s free-flowing habit does not signify a retrofitting of the past. Electric guitaristDaniel Carlsson’s sustained notes and blistering progressions act as a symbiotic foil for reedman Stefan Wistrand.And while the musicians generally soar skyward, they tone matters down in spots. Structured upon quirkymovements, smothered with angst and staggered pulses, the quartet's music is driven by an obvious sense ofdirection. /... / Needless to say, the ensemble saturates its palate with a good-natured vibe that becomes quiteconspicuous from the onset. (Recommended…)"
Glenn Astarita (All About Jazz) USA
“Ancient beings are called to the fore on In the Space Between, an electrified offering by Nods Off that owes as much to John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders' spiritual contributions as it does to Rock's more experimental ventures. /... / Invidually these musicians excel as probing and prodding voyagers. Carlsson is particularly compelling when he cutsloose to send jolting messages capable of being heard on distant planets. Larsson fuels the effort with deep buzzingundercurrents, and Wistrand flies above the widespread destruction pouring incendiary fluid over the haze. Olsengoes nonstop in setting up a bombastic backdrop of irregular pulsation. While the band casts a mesmerizing spell withits collective entreaty, the improvising talent of each member vividly surfaces out of the waters of this briskly bubblingcauldron.â€
Frank Rubolino (Cadence) USA
"Nods Off is a Swedish group that reflects the freshness of the new wave of improvisational music. They have forcertain not much with computers and other new technique to do, but on the other hand they connect on to half asmuch to rock as to jazz and they do dare to break atonality and free rhythm for more conventional elements. Withsaxophones, guitar, bass and drums they break in somewhere in between one for the style "free" and one for thestyle "conventional" way of playing. They cook, they crack up and rumble around in the bottom, but in the music thereis also composed structures that support a melodic beauty. That gives scope and dynamics while at the same timeStefan Wistrand, Daniel Carlsson, Stefan Larsson and Peter Olsen create a collective expression that feels uniformand distinct. A real progressive record."
Johannes Cornell (Dagens Nyheter) Sweden
"Without a lot of fuss Nods Off plays an unusual easily accessible music that navigates between improvisational jazzand experimental rock. Stefan Wistrand’s saxophones open mightily; the notes aren’t unusual but well found. DanielCarlsson’s electric guitar plows slowly and emphatically, not unlike Finnish American Raoul Björkenheim. Peter Olsen’surgent and ingenious drums are the band’s propeller. Stefan Larsson’s more conventional electric bass stands forsmooth running and steady ground. Forceful steamroller compositions vary with slowly burning beautiful ones, andquite a lot in between. Everything is new, still you feel at home. With its rock oriented drive Nods Off should be able toreach many listeners. Both band and new listeners are to be congratulated."
Leif Carlsson (Lira) Sweden
DISCOGRAPHY
Albums
In the Space Between [einnicken era 0417] 2005
Here, There, Down & Up! [einnicken era 0012] 2000
Mini-albums
Live at Tellus (limited edition) [einnicken ers 0213] 2002
Lococycle [einnicken ers 9310] 1993
Compilation
memento ~ the scene, the music [einnicken era 0314] 2003 (various artists)
Purchase Nods Off albums at iTunes or Klicktrack (downloads), Einnicken Records (CDs)
