Nattfiolen and Nattfiolens Suite by Jordsjo

2019's Nattfiolen and 2018's Nattfiolens Suite, an EP previously released online but not released on physical media until 2022, by Jordsjo.

The two albums should be considered a single album; Nattfiolens Suite is, in fact, a demo outtake from the recording sessions for the album Nattfiolen, and although it is the title track, it wasn't included in the list.

We're talking about a bundle of two albums (an LP and an EP) that, in my opinion, are the band's best production to date, totaling 53 minutes in total.

I've written about this band at length, both for the Jordso albums and for the collaborations with Breidablik, so please refer to the posts on the website for details.

The band is essentially the same; the lineup for Nattfiolens Suite is similar, while other guest musicians are credited for Nattfiolen.

The bundle wouldn't be the same without the title track, which was initially omitted; it was available online, but then the physical disc finally arrived.

I love this band's approach to prog, what I call Northern Prog, with a fantastic pastoral feel that finds its roots in Nordic folk and a unique Scandinavian atmosphere.

Nothing digital or artificial, just "handcrafted" music on these albums.

Nattfiolen's tracks

Ouveture is a beautiful intro featuring flute and piano.

Stifinner has a splendid Mellotron and beautiful acoustic guitar. The Norwegian vocals, as on the rest of the album, are magnificent, and there are notable flute and organ parts.

Solens Sirkulære Sang is the most complex song, but it focuses not on virtuosity but on atmosphere, which is beautiful.
Septemberbål with his beautiful folk-influenced acoustic guitar lead
Mine Templer II is the sequel to Mine Templer I (from 2016's Jordsjø II), a great piece with a beautiful flute intro featuring seventies-style sounds, pastoral sounds, and beautiful piano, organ, and jazz-influenced guitar.
Til Våren astonishes with a beautiful vocal and the flute reproducing the melody with a musical interpretation.
Ulvenatt is more ambient, psychedelic, with beautiful Gilmour-esque guitar.

The track from Nattfiolens Suite

Nattfiolen is a short, almost entirely instrumental suite, fantastic with its opening of nature sounds and then the entrance of the flute and acoustic guitar with a truly engaging melody played in unison, followed by a sort of chase of the theme between the two instruments, over a light layer of keyboards. The theme changes and becomes faster and richer, with the entry of the drums and bass. Both are beautiful. And it's a play of breaks and restarts, always with the wonderful dialogue between guitar and flute, but the main theme is fantastic prog. It accelerates and the voice enters, the song becomes epic. The precision and technique of each musician is incredible. A magnificent piece.

I recommend these two albums and Jordso's music in general, not only for the genre, which, as you know, I adore, but also the execution is perfect, great taste and creativity in a genre that, thanks to them, endures and renews itself. For those unfamiliar with them, they're part of a musical world that also includes Wobbler, the immense Änglagård, and Landberk. If they seem like valid references to you, Jordso is also worth checking out.

In my opinion, they're two excellent albums, both essential to any prog collection. If they had been a single album, it would have been a masterpiece.

Nattfiolen's Tracks
1. Overture (1:20)
2. Stifinner (7:54)
3. Solens Sirkulære Sang (7:41)
4. Septemberbål (1:50)
5. Mine Templer II (6:31)
6. Til Våren (9:05)
7. Ulvenatt (5:48)
Duration 40:09

The Nattfiolen Line-Up
- Håkon Oftung - vocals, guitar, flute, Hammond M100, Mellotron, Clavinet D6, ARP Pro Soloist
- Kristian Frøland - drums, triangle, percussion
With:
- Vilde Mertensen Storesund - backing vocals
- Ståle Langhelle synthesizer - ARP Pro Soloist (2)
- Geir Opdal synthesizer - Buchla Music Easel (7)
- Christian Meaas Svendsen - double bass (5)
- Håkon Knutzen - percussion, mixing

Nattfiolens Suite Tracks
1. Nattfiolen (demo) (13:36)
Duration 13:36

Nattfiolens Suite Lineup
- Håkon Oftung - vocals, flute, guitars, keyboards
- Håkon Knutzen - bass, percussion
- Kristian Frøland - drums and percussion
- Vilde Mortensen Storesund - backing vocals