Eivind Aarset is one of the most sought-after guitarists in Norway. He has worked with, among others, Bill Laswell, Jon Hassell, Mike Manieri, Nana Vasconceos, Brian Eno and Talvin Singh, and is a regular part of Nils Petter Molvaer's band. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix, he developed at an early age into a gifted rock guitarist, but was soon influenced by the fusion sound of Miles Davis, Weather Report
… and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and by the ECM sound of Jan Garbarek and Terje Rypdal. All these influences come together on his fourth CD. Sonic Codex sounds like John Zorn was dropped on a tropical island with a jukebox full of exotica. Characteristic bamboo sounds are quickly drowned out by a ripping, melancholic city guitar and then alternated by moments of serene tranquility. Not the kind of icy atmospheres that characterize Molvaer's work. Aarset's temperament is rather around the equator. (AD)more
