Melodic Warrior

"Melodic Warrior" is a captivating journey into the avant-garde realm of jazz fusion, showcasing the extraordinary talents of guitarist Terje Rypdal. Released in 2013 under ECM Records, this album is a testament to Rypdal's innovative spirit and his ability to blend diverse musical elements into a cohesive and compelling whole.

The album features two monumental compositions: the title track "Melodic Warrior" and "And The Sky Was Coloured With Waterfalls And Angels." The former is a sprawling, 45-minute epic commissioned by the Hilliard Ensemble, recorded live at the Brucknerhaus Linz in 2003 with the Bruckner Orchester Linz under the direction of Dennis Russell Davies. This piece is a breathtaking fusion of Rypdal's tense, expressive guitar work and the ethereal vocals of the Hilliard Ensemble, who sing texts drawn from Native American poetry. The latter composition was recorded at the Jazztopad Festival in Wrocław in 2009, featuring the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra.

"Melodic Warrior" is a bold exploration of sound and texture, where Rypdal's guitar weaves intricate patterns alongside the rich tapestry of orchestral and vocal arrangements. The album's nine movements offer a dynamic range of moods and tempos, from the hauntingly beautiful to the exhilaratingly intense. Rypdal's guitar playing is as virtuosic as it is evocative, while the Hilliard Ensemble's vocals add a layer of mystical depth.

This album is a standout in Terje Rypdal's discography, pushing the boundaries of jazz fusion and free jazz. It's a powerful and immersive listening experience that highlights Rypdal's unique vision and his ability to create music that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving. With a duration of over an hour, "Melodic Warrior" is an album that demands attention and rewards repeated listening.