Ibrahim Electric is a Danish trio consisting of organist Jeppe Tuxen, guitarist Niclas Knudsen and drummer Stefan Pasborg. They’re joined on this CD by American trombonist supreme Ray Anderson. It’s a perfect match. Anderson’s wild and wooly personality fits hand in glove with the trio’s no-holds-barred, quasi-jam band ethos.
The album was recorded live at Copenhagen’s Jazzhouse in the spring of 2004 as part of that city’s annual jazz festival. Befitting a loose, good-time outfit like this, a raw, smoky nightclub vibe dominates. The trio grooves hard and long, covering such disparate genres as “In a Silent Way”-type proto fusion, surf rock and hard-swinging urban blues. Tuxen is a ballsy, funky voice on the Hammond B3. Guitarist Knudsen is an inventive soloist and accompanist, and drummer Pasbourg cooks like Emeril. The tunes are fresh, the energy is high, the chemistry perfect. Throw in the absurdly creative and good-humored work of the world’s greatest trombonist, and you’ve got a party waiting to happen. This is a terrific album, just loads of fun.
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