Pairs of three

"[Nilssen-Love's] new septet, Circus, conveys the usual raucous intensity, but it feels much different than his usual modus operandi, both in the prevalence of composed material - much of it borrowed from and/or inspired by Brazilian music - and the presence of vocalist Juliana Venter, an actor who brings plenty of drama to her mix of written and improvised melodies and texts ... The arrangements are full of shifts, toggling between radically different, jacked-up folk styles, but the timbre, visceral rapport, and presence of Ventner carve out unique territory. It's simultaneously playful and furious, with more concise improvised passages cutting through the arrangements with a furious sense of purpose. Bassist Christian Meass Svendsen helps build the massive, fiery grooves while a frontline of trumpeter Thomas Johansson, alto saxophonist Signe Emmeluth, guitarist Oddrun Lilja, and accordionist Kalle Moberg frequently juggle roles, playing solos, laying down harmonic forms, or reinforcing the sense of propulsion in peripatetic, conversational combos. A fantastic surprise".

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"Pairs of Three is the debut album of Norwegian drummer hero Paal Nilssen-Love's new band Circus, a band that makes great fun music ... With Circus, Nilssen-Love fully immerses himself in his love for the music of Brazil, following his work with Brazilian musicians on 'New Brazilian Funk'. But the Circus septet offers a completely different atmosphere, still high-octane but more sensual and seductive. It owes much to the refreshing spirit and inimitable character of South African vocalist Juliana Venter, whose energy and intense focus evokes that of legendary Brazilian samba singer Elza Soares. Add to her two young and articulate musicians, Danish alto sax player Signe Emmeluth and guitarist Oddrun Lilja, and you already know that Circus is a new and promising beast ... Somehow this chaotic, mysterious and raw energy of Circus operates perfectly, and most of the time you may feel tempted to get up and dance and enjoy the uplifting spirit of Circus' music".

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