Pyramid (Jaga Jazzist album)
| Pyramid | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 August 2020 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 39:08 | |||
| Label | Brainfeeder | |||
| Producer |
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| Jaga Jazzist chronology | ||||
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Pyramid is a studio album by Norwegian eight-piece jazz band Jaga Jazzist.[1] It was released on Brainfeeder on 7 August 2020.[2] It peaked at number 47 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.[3] It was followed by a remix album, Pyramid Remix, in 2021.[4]
Background
[edit]Pyramid was recorded over the course of two weeks.[5] It is the band's first self-produced studio album.[6] The song "Tomita" is named after Japanese composer Isao Tomita.[1] The song "The Shrine" takes its title from Fela Kuti's club in Lagos.[1]
Critical reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 75/100[7] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [5] |
| Exclaim! | 6/10[8] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 7/10[9] |
| Paste | 7.0/10[10] |
| PopMatters | 7/10[11] |
| Under the Radar |   [12] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Pyramid received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 75 out of 100 from 8 critic scores.[7]
Paul Simpson of AllMusic stated, "While just as brainy and elaborate as Jaga Jazzist's 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."[5] Saby Reyes-Kulkarni of Paste commented that "while Pyramid is what we might call an easy listen, it also harbors a wealth of details as the band shifts ever so gracefully between active, upbeat grooves and motionlessness."[10]
Meanwhile, Daniel Sylvester of Exclaim! described Pyramid as "an imperfect and uneven album that satisfies two different audiences, as the front half is packed with wandering jam band noodling while the second half tightens into a slightly more focused and rhythmic set."[8] He added, "It's just a shame that Jaga Jazzist wasn't able to give the listener a more cohesive and unified version of what they were trying to achieve with Pyramid."[8] Janne Oinonen of The Line of Best Fit stated, "While still offering glimmers of Jaga Jazzist's undefinable, futuristic aspirations, the maximalist ethos of Pyramid ultimately comes across as oddly old-fashioned at a time when acts like 75 Dollar Bill are redefining the hypnotic potential of instrumental soundscapes."[9]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Lars Horntveth
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tomita" | 13:47 |
| 2. | "Spiral Era" | 8:09 |
| 3. | "The Shrine" | 9:06 |
| 4. | "Apex" | 8:09 |
| Total length: | 39:08 | |
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from liner notes.[13]
- Marcus Forsgren – electric guitar, vocals, production, recording, mixing
- Lars Horntveth – guitar, pedal steel guitar, clarinet, saxophone, keyboards, synthesizer, vibraphone, piano, programming, arrangement, production, recording
- Even Ormestad – bass guitar, recording
- Line Horntveth – tuba, alto horn, euphonium, flute, vocals
- Erik Johannessen – tronbone, vocals
- Martin Horntveth – drums, percussion, programming
- Øystein Moen – synthesizer, Clavinet, Hammond organ
- Andreas Mjøs – vibraphone, chef
Additional musicians
- David Wallumrød – ARP Pro Soloist (on "Tomita")
Technical personnel
- George Tanderø – mastering
- Martin Kvamme – design
- Anthony P. Huus – photography
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[3] | 47 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Breihan, Tom (26 February 2020). "Jaga Jazzist – "Spiral Era"". Stereogum. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Kenneally, Cerys (23 July 2020). "Jaga Jazzist preview first album in five years with second single "Tomita"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Simpson, Paul. "Pyramid Remix - Jaga Jazzist". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Simpson, Paul. "Pyramid - Jaga Jazzist". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Slingerland, Calum (26 February 2020). "Jaga Jazzist Detail New Album 'Pyramid'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Pyramid by Jaga Jazzist". Metacritic. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Sylvester, Daniel (6 August 2020). "Jaga Jazzist Can't Find Their Focus on 'Pyramid'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ a b Oinonen, Janne (6 August 2020). "Jaga Jazzist's mystical fusion retains some of its shine on Pyramid". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ a b Reyes-Kulkarni, Saby (14 August 2020). "Jaga Jazzist Do What They Do Best on Pyramid". Paste. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Ingalls, Chris (7 August 2020). "Jaga Jazzist's 'Pyramid' Is an Earthy, Complex, Jazz-Fusion Throwback". PopMatters. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Spencely, Haydon (10 August 2020). "Jaga Jazzist: Pyramid (Brainfeeder)". Under the Radar. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Jaga Jazzist (2020). Pyramid (CD booklet). Brainfeeder.