While we often talk about how much amazing new music is coming out of Scandinavia these days, and specifically Norway and Sweden when it comes to progressive rock and fusion, there's an equally good amount of archival stuff just waiting to be discovered. Take jazz-rock/fusion act Moose Loose for example. The band released two fine albums between 1974-1976, and now here in 2023 we get this fine live album from June 30, 1973, recorded from their performance at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival. Featuring the line-up of Brynjulf Blix (organ, electric piano), Pål Thorstensen (bass), Jon Eberson (guitar), and Espen Rud (drums), Moose Loose will instantly appeal to fans of classic fusion era bands such as Weather Report, Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Larry Coryell's Eleventh House, Miles Davis, Brand X, and Tony Williams Lifetime. Opener "Moose Loose" completely burns, jam-packed with thrilling guitar and keyboard exchanges, and the electric piano tones of "O-kjød" are just lovely, and will take you all the way back to 1973. "Ebers Funk", "Ebers Space", and "Ebers Heavy" are magical, extended excursions, complete with sizzling solos, especially from Eberson, who steps on that wah-wah pedal and takes off to the moon. "Purple" brings the funk, but also allows for some savage soloing, and closer "Boston Miles" pays homage to the master, the band bringing the groove and tossing out some wild electric piano and guitar lines while the drums percolate on high underneath.
This is one red-hot set from a band that more fusion fans need to be talking about. As far as live archival sets released here in 2023, this is one of the better ones. Mandatory listening right here!
Track Listing
1 Moose Loose
Written-By Brynjulf Blix, Jon Eberson
8:56
2 O-kjød
Written-By Brynjulf Blix
4:26
3 Ebers Funk
Written-By Jon Eberson
6:21
4 Ebers Space
Written-By Jon Eberson
10:14
5 Ebers Heavy
Written-By Jon Eberson
8:35
6 Easy To Forget
Written-By Jon Eberson
4:32
7 Purple
Written-By Miroslav Vitous
8:09
8 Boston Miles
Written-By Miles Davis