Kathrin Pechlof (harp)

Jerker Kluge (b)

Matthias Gmelin (dr)

Links:

Ampere München

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J1fVhoPv7s

Jazzfest München 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTNL-mODw7Q

Kritik: Cosmic Groove Orchestra „TIME HAS COME“

Taking their cues from some of the more spiritual and celestial thinkers in jazz’s history, German group Cosmic Groove Orchestra have turned their influences into something truly transcendent. Time Has Come has a genuine vibe to it that’s fresh and unique – all the tracks were recorded live and organically, letting the instruments breathe in the room to create a hothouse of ideas. The instrumentation itself is unique – a mix of harp, electric guitar, drums and double bass. Using the harp in a jazz setting instantly reminds you of Alice Coltrane, and this debt is acknowledged by their cover of her classic “Journey in Satchidananda”.

The electric guitar really gets to shine though on “Midnight Tango”, which stumbles drunkenly at a deathly slow pace while a guitar solo glides wildly over the top playing Eastern European motifs. More conventionally, the two part “Suite Cosmique” reaches for the stars with the harp playing some glorious phrases along the way. “Time Has Come” also showers the listener in melody, with the Bill Frisell-like guitar playing recalling some of Miles Davis’s late-60s output.

Oliver Keens

The time has definitely come for the Cosmic Groove Orchestra — a hip spiritual jazz combo, and one who makes amazing sounds on some really wonderful strings! The group clearly borrow inspiration from Alice Coltrane — as a jazz harp is their lead instrument, mixed beautifully with guitar lines, bass, and drums — all in a blend that has this beautifully meditative feel, while still hanging onto plenty of jazz — as Coltrane did during her best years on Impulse Records! The concept’s never too high or haughty, and there’s an understated feel to the record that reminds us of some of the best Nimbus Records sides at the end of the 70s — a spirit that’s still burning bright, but with a mellow light that’s totally compelling. Titles include a version of Coltrane’s „Journey In Satchidananda“, plus „Suite Cosmique (parts 1 & 2)“, „You Know You Know“, „Kanon“, „Shelter“, „Harp Song“, and „Walzer Fur Ilse Proskauer“.

© 1996-2010, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

Die CD Time Has Come wurde 2010 für den Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik nominiert.