KRONSTAD 23

JOBBER OVERTID

OMSLP 012

BLACK VINLY LP

SIDE 1

1. MALIBU 4.09

2. MINIBIL 5.58

3. DALEN 8.34

4. FEILBARLIG 2.18

 SIDE 2

1. KYSTEN 4.51

2. MUGG 8.26

3. ORIENTEN 5.05

4. VILLNIS 3.11

OUT NOW

Working in the music business I listen to music - old and new - all the time. Not only do I have a big record collection but it’s my job at Ace Records. Whether it’s helming the reissue of classic jazz, blues, punk, soul or funk albums or steering Bob Stanley and Jon Savage compilations into port I’m listening to music constantly. I’ve also run my own label for a while now and put out music ranging from the award winning Pan Machine album of Kraftwerk covers by the Ebony Steel Bans to the leftfield electronics of umlaut-crazy Spŏŏn Fazer. 

In mid-2023 out of the blue I received a link to three tracks recorded by Kronstad 23.  I knew nothing about the individual members or bands they had been in previously. I found out they came from Norway.

I played those three tracks – Malibu, Minibil and Dalen -  and something happened. I just could not stop playing them. They just hit the spot. It was the best kind of jazz, instrumental, funky, pliant and captured four intuitive musicians totally in tune with each other. Addictive guitar and keyboard melodies echoed, to my ears anyway, Soft Machine, Weather Report and Keith Jarrett’s seminal Belonging and My Song albums.

Further  enquiries revealed that the four members of Kronstad 23 were as follows: Aleksander Tøsdal Tveit (Guitar), Eirik Rømcke (Bass), Øyvind Arnodd Vie Berg (Rhodes Piano, Moog, Organ & Percussion) and Hans Christian Dalgaard (Drums & Percussion). Long-term friends, they now lived in different parts of Norway. They only came together to record. Which made the musical chemistry of the funky jazz they produced even more compelling. The name Kronstad 23 refers to a district of the city of Bergen.

I expressed an interest in releasing an album which chimed in with their own desires. Were there any more tracks? I was in luck as they had a second recording session planned in October 2023. Fantastic.

As that date approached I must admit I was worried. What if the same chemistry was not there? Just after Christmas, the tracks arrived. Powered by a different drummer - Ivar Thormodsæter who matched Dalgaard in execution and feel - the seven new tracks were as good as the first set. There were even a couple of other musicians drafted into this session to augment the sound on some tracks. These were Håvar Skaugen  (Tenor & Baritone Saxophone) and Håvard Alisøy Søvig (Cornet).

One trackfrom this session-  Kysten - became a total earworm in the way it built  up and then powered to a conclusion with a driving rhythmic pulse. It became my favourite. But honestly, every track had its merits. Crucially, sequenced together we now hand an amazing album of instrumental jazz.

Even though we had never met and the band have no profile in the UK I am delighted to put this album out. They decided to call it Jobber Overtid – which is Norwegian for Working Overtime. That something they do to perfection on extended tracks like Mugg and Dalen and shorter, more punchy fare, like Feilbarlig .

Jobber Overtid will be released on three formats in September 2024 An 8 track vinyl LP. A CD version which adds an additional two tracks from the second session that could not be squeezed onto the vinyl LP. Thirdly there is the worldwide digital release that can be streamed or downloaded. That means that if you are curious, intrigued or looking for some truly amazing instrumental jazz you have no excuse whatsoever.

Let me put my cards on the table. I honestly don’t know if anyone will buy this album. I don’t even know if anyone will review it. But, I’m a firm believer in putting my money where my mouth is. Especially when the music by Kronstad 23 is so good. Even if nothing happens, I’ll eventually fly to Norway and we’ll meet up because I’d like to personally thank them for bringing something beautiful into the world. Good music like Jobber Overtid is like bringing children into the world – something to love forever.

And, if things work out – there is more to come.