The ten-member Norwegian monster Jaga Jazzist can rightly be called the most progressive musicians' club in the country. On their first two CDs, A Livingroom Hush (2002) and The Stix (2003), the band found themselves on the slippery slope between instrumental jazz, electronica and post rock. Their collaboration with various Norwegian artists (Röyksopp, Motorpsycho) already indicated that the band
… members were very broadly oriented. What We Must will therefore put Jaga fans to the test. The band has changed course 360 degrees and mainly makes instrumental, bombastic prog rock on this album, without samples and drum computers to be understood. Add a touch of post rock, indie and noise and the disillusionment is complete. Jaga Jazzist takes you on a violent music trip that immediately opens strongly with All I Know Is Tonight, after which the gas is slowed down only in For All You Happy People. The sparse vocals are completely at the service of the music, as can be heard in Swedenborgske Rom's choir. Actually, What We Must is most reminiscent of the masterpiece Words Apart by And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. Jaga Jazzist proves that Norway is a serious player on the international music scene. (JdD)more
