I first came across Norwegian born / Copenhagen based saxophonist Marius Neset after reading a glistening review on his latest album Pinball (early 2015). Being called a masterpiece, labelled one of Europe’s hottest talents and having a five star rating was enough persuasion for me to buy the album – and it is truly remarkable. It features Jim Hart (vibraphone), Petter Eldh (double bass), Ivo Neame (piano) and Anton Eger (drums), but this touring quintet had former Phronesis pianist Magnus Hjorth and Troyka drummer Joahua Blackmor, as Ivo and Anton are touring with Phronesis. Having been taught by jazz multi-instrumentalist Django Bates, Marius first came to prominence with the release of his 2011 album Golden Xplosions that received rave reviews and put himself firmly on the jazz map being one of the most talked about jazz newcomers.

 

You could sense the anticipation in the sold out Brighton Dome Studio Theatre for what has been labelled as a next level performance. The first half of the performance definitely lived up to every expectation – it was energetic, intense and extremely impressive. The first song was a playful introduction to what to expect from the Marius Neset Quintet daring approach to what is musically possible. We were acquainted with a vibraphone masterclass in the second track that showed us his absolute skill and the ease Jim has with the instrument. Then we hear first tracks off Pinball, ‘World Song Part 1 & 2’, that starts with a disjointed clapping and Marius playing eerie sax sounds, with Jim coming in to hold the rhythm for everyone to join in, making it a rather uplifting song, before venturing into a relaxing and laid back feel. This really showcased the complexity and imagination to Marius’s composition.

 

After the interval, the quintet started with the magnificent ‘Theatre of Magic’, one of my favourites off Pinball and a great way to begin the second half of the show. Marius continued in fine form giving a compelling Saxophone solo and Joshua providing us with effortless, light and intricate drumming. It was definitely a more mellow half, although just as abstract, following with the more drawn back ‘Aberhonddu’ that had Jim creating atmospheric sounds with a violin bow on the vibraphone. Then going into an outstanding version of the sombre ‘Ode To You’ which include a phenomenal piano solo from Magnus who proved just how good his technical ability is, as well as Jim joining Joshua on drums to create a constant swashing sound with some wire brushes. The show came to a close with the thrilling ‘Summer Dance’ as an encore – an intense and absorbing end that was met by parts of the audience in ovation.

 

It was no surprise why Marius Neset Quintet received such an emphatic response, as it was an overwhelming and truly mind blowing performance. Marius needs to surround himself with exceptional musicians just to keep up with creative pace of his music’s tight turns, complex dynamics and ever changing time signatures, which they all did with absolute ease. Marius oozed with boundless enthusiasm for what he does, showing the audience that he can indeed live up to the praise he has been given and more.

Iain Lauder