Catching Fire is the third excellent live record from the Norwegian jazz fusion group (not counting their early BBC session.) This set from 2017 somewhat anticipates 2019s now classic Psychedelic Backfire 1 & 2. The tracklist is similar, and the psychedelic/prog rock vibes are beginning to form in earnest. 

Catching Fire also a collaboration that’s just as perfect as bringing in Reine Fiske (of Melodys Echo Chamber, Traden, Dungen, Motorpsycho etc) was on Backfire 2- and perhaps even more exciting. In fact guitarist Terje Rypdal, then 69 years old, is a huge inspiration to Fiske himself and I didn’t need to read the press release to know that. It’s plain to hear in Fiskes playing. Terje is an absolute legend with a string of ECM all time greats under his belt, and an iconic guitar tone and playing style that fits in seamlessly alongside Storløkkens keyboard. The interplay and the shifting moods they create on top of an intensely rocking rhythm section are very memorable.

Fans of Nordic jazz, jazz rock fusion, free rock or modern angular guitar music in general are going to really enjoy this. It’s also a great entry point into Elephant9s discography and if you haven’t heard them, you could absolutely start here and then move through 2018s records and onward to the present.