This is a song called "Hot Ice" from Svif,the first solo album of Icelandic jazz guitarist Bjorn Thoroddsen. He released the album in 1982, shortly after graduating from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood. This song features some of the best Icelandic fusion players at the time (sax player Kristinn Svavarsson and keyboard player Eythor Gunnarsson, both from Mezzoforte). The rhytm section is comprised of two of his classmates from his years in Hollywood, Hans Rolin on drums and Mikael Berglund playing some very funky bass.


[Edited 1/25/10 14:50pm]

Since I posted a track featuring members from Mezzoforte, I thought I'd post this classic track, probably Mezzoforte's most famous song.... It's from their 1983 Surprise Surprise album, and this medley starts with the title track which leads into "Garden Party", which was the only track from an Icelandic artist to chart in the UK, until Björk and the Sugarcubes came along:


[Edited 1/25/10 14:56pm]

,,,

Oh, that's Right! I remember them now...I used to hear them mentioned in the early 80's, usually when someone was talking about groups like Level 42 Casiopea, and Shakatak....

That took me back.....





...

Here's something I've wondered about for a long time- where is the dividing line between jazz fusion and smooth jazz?

I know jazz fusion came first from young artists like Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc. And even some old school guys got in the game like Miles Davis. Bitches Brew was a muthafukka! And a tip o the hat to Prince for NEWS.

But at some point the whole smooth jazz thing got started. It's fusion-y but much of it, to my ears anyway, lacks soul.

Now I'm not saying I don't like smooth jazz; I do very much when I want that mellow mood it really hits the spot and I have a large collection.

Though few and far between, there are a few cuts on a few discs that hit that sweet spot that crosses the amorphous line of soul.

I guess its like trying to define obscenity. When the Supreme court was discussing a case on pornography in 1964 one of the justices said, "I know it when I see it."

When it comes to jazz fusion and smooth jazz tunes, there are some that make into the funky, soulful territory like the one from Svif that opened this thread. "I know it when I hear it" and it's always a joy.

I'd love to hear more from y'all that you think hits the mark.

Here's Bona Fide:


[Edited 1/26/10 11:28am]