In the wrong hands, jazz-fusion and prog can be dangerous musical fodder, but when undertaken by Norwegian alt-musos Jaga Jazzist, the results can be spectacular. While 2005’s ‘What We Must’ explored post-rocky Sigur Rós territory with mixed results, ‘One-Armed Bandit’ sees them back to the electronic wonk-jazz that they do so well.
Big layers of instruments dual with and complement each other via weird time signatures, and inspired, complex riffs that sound like they’re scoring a car chase from a cult Seventies film, mixed with bursts of electronic futurism – perhaps best displayed on the album’s title track – a manic, brilliant piece of instrumental songwriting that shows Jaga Jazzist to be at the top of their game.
8/10
Words by Tristan Parker
