Shake (The Thing album)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

Shake is an album by The Thing, the trio of saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and drummer Paal Nilssen-Love. The album was recorded in June 2015 and released that year by the band's eponymous label.

Recording and music

The album was recorded on 1 and 2 June 2015.^[2] For "Aim", Anna Högberg (alto sax) and Goran Kajfes (cornet) were added to the trio: "Based on a simple six-note vamp, the hypnotic intro gives way to a complete communion of collective improvisation before stripping itself back to a skeletal whisper of its theme."^[1] "Til Jord Skal Du Bli", "Sigill" and "Fra Jord Er Du Kommet" "are unusually reflective for The Thing".^[3]

Releases

Shake was released on 30 October 2015 by The Thing's eponymous label.^[2] It was released on CD, vinyl and cassette.^[3]

Reception

Thom Jurek's review for AllMusic concluded that "This is free jazz-funk for those who insist on an identifiable center in avant music. The Thing are masters at this and, as a result, can always push further into sound and song and a nearly danceable collective conversation."^[1]

Track listing

1. "Viking Disco/Perfection" (Paal Nilssen-Love/Ornette Coleman) – 6:29
2. "Til Jord Skal Du Bli" (Ingebrigt Håker Flaten) – 8:28
3. "The Nail Will Burn " (Loop) – 2:43
4. "Sigill" (Colin Bergh) – 5:39
5. "Aim" (Mats Gustafsson) – 13:15
6. "Bota Fogo" – 7:28
7. "Fra Jord Er Du Kommet" (Flaten) – 7:23

Personnel

• Mats Gustafsson – baritone sax, tenor sax
• Ingebrigt Håker Flaten – double bass, electric bass
• Paal Nilssen-Love – drums, percussion
• Anna Högberg – alto sax (track 5)
• Goran Kajfes – cornet (track 5)

References