Motorpsycho + Jaga Jazzist Horns

Tenth release in Dutch label Konkurrent’s series, which offers 48 hours of studio time to invited musicians to record whatever their heart desires. Norway’s Motorpsycho and Jaga Jazzist collaborate this time on five pieces that bring out the best (and worst) of both bands’ modus operandi. The opening two tracks segue into each other and play upon the luxuriant elements of soft horns and chiaroscuro pop arrangement. The second track "Pills, Powders and Passion Plays,” is the best track the Notwist never recorded, minus the electro-blips. "Theme de Yoyo” is where things briefly derail, giving us a lengthy faux-James Brown via Grand Funk workout that is either meant to elicit laughs and fails, or just outright fails. The 20-plus-minute closer "Tristano” more than redeems the album, providing a post-jazz workout that builds to a passionate crescendo that Tortoise probably wishes they’d gotten to first.