After the blazing kick in the seat of Matinale, my expectations for Krakatau’s ECM debut were high. But from the whirlpipes and ritualistic drums that open “Brujo” I realized that expectations have no place in a sound-world like this. Guitarist Raoul Björkenheim, tenor man Jone Takamäki, bassist Uffe Krokfors, drummer Alf Forsman: the four enfant terribles of this outfit play like nobody’s business, adding to their milieu self-made instruments like the throaty, frog-like toppophone and the krakaphone, a long-lost cousin of the didgeridoo. From the get-go, Björkenheim’s smoky enigmas unleash dreams of furtive energy, leaving us wanting more and getting it in the title track. This one drios a rough tenor into scurrying drums before squeegeeing out an equally gut-wrenching guitar solo, which plants us on a straight shot toward the ethereal “Nai.” Takamäki rips the night again in “Bullroarer,” setting off a free jazz extravaganza I can only describe as gorgeous. “Changgo” gets psychoanalytic on us, turning the gears of a giant jack-in-the-box that never pops, but rather brings out hidden anticipations. And by the time we’ve passed through the wall of sound that is “Little Big Horn,” we are ready for anything the final cut, “Dalens Ande,” might have to offer. Another stunning set from some of ECM’s most underappreciated outliers, Volition is dripping with exactly that. The sonic equivalent of a double shot, save this one for a depressing day and it will be sure to pick you up. Then again, it might send you down the rabbit hole. - ecmreviews.com
Prepare yourself for Krakatau's stunning VOLITION. With its melting pot of distorted guitars, careening bass, drums, and various ethnic wind and string instruments, Krakatau not only gets off some searing leads but also creeps upon you slowly with a perverse dread. The opening "Brujo" is a warning glance of ominously escalating horns and moaning guitars. "Bullroarer" is two minutes of blistering feedback, rush-hour saxophones, and freeform rhythmatics. "Little Big Horn" beats upon intermittent lung bursts from Jone Takamaki, who meanders his way through drummer Alf Forsman's tingling cymbals and Raoul Bjorkenheim's sometimes Fripp-influenced guitar sustains. A daunting, tense atmosphere definitely powers this fearless quartet. Krakatau truly blurs Crimson-inflected progressive, improvisational jazz, and ethno-trance musics into a scarring new-world order. - AllMusic
Tracks
1. Brujo
2. Volition
3. Nai
4. Bullroarer
5. Changgo
6. Little Big Horn
7. Dalens Ande
RAOUL BJÖRKENHEIM guitars, shekere
UFFE KROKFORS acoustic bass
ALF FORSMAN drums
JONE TAKAMÄKI tenor saxophone, krakaphone, whiripipe
Music composed by Björkenheim, Forsman, Takamäki and Krokfors
Recorded December 1991 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo
ECM Records – ECM 1466 (Germany)