Pierre Dørge

Pierre Dørge & New Jungle Orchestra return to the Steeplechase label after 20 years of working with several others. The guitarist wrote all but one of the songs, still cultivating a multi-faceted approach to writing that draws from many musical styles from various lands. "A Minor Disturbance to Mr. Nielsen" incorporates themes from Danish composer Carl Nielsen, adding a droning introduction that sounds like a Far Eastern chant, with elements of free jazz in some of the solos. "Cafe Central" is a loopy post-bop vehicle that is full of humor, while the campy "Landscape with Animals" blends a Tibetan-like chant with a Middle Eastern rhythm. Pianist Irene Becker contributed "Forgotten Highway," a loping piece suggesting a slow-moving caravan, with rich solos by the leader and flügelhornist Kasper Tanberg. The beauty of Dørge's music is that it is always full of surprises, even after repeated hearings. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi