Diversions Vol. 1: Softly Through Sunshine by Kanaan

On this portal in the tab "The incredible Jamming-Fuzz-Psychedelic world of Kanaan", you will find content dedicated to them including the review of "Windborne", their 2018 debut album, a completely instrumental work that mixes post-rock and psychedelic sounds but also an article on "Langt, Langt Vekk", the 2024 album born from the collaboration between Kanaan and Ævestaden,  A project characterized by a powerful sound and strong character.

I want to remember the quote from Kanaan's motto that is very self-explanatory: "No composition, no ego, psychedelia as a religion"

I have already talked about "Diversions Vol. 2: Enter the Astral Plane", together with Benjamin Finger, which is an album that lets itself go to improvisation and psychedelia, with a freer and more spontaneous touch.  It is a journey through states of mind, which mixes the energy of the power trio with electronic and experimental sounds, inspired by krautrock bands such as CAN and Ash Ra Tempel.  A record that captures the essence of psychedelic music, played great.

"Diversions Vol. 1: Softly Through Sunshine" (2022) kicked off the Diversions series, designed to document the group's jam sessions, sonic experimentations and collaborations outside the usual schemes of their main releases.

The album was born in a flash: composed, written and recorded in just five days in the remote Flerbruket studio in Hemnes, Norway.  A key collaboration is with the well-known Norwegian jazz organist Håvard Ersland, who enriches the sound with "otherworldly" synthesizers, acoustic piano and his unmistakable Hammond organ.  The sessions were recorded and mixed by Mikkel Reinem Moen (who also helped with the production), while the mastering was entrusted to Christian Obermayer.

Diversions Vol. 1: Softly Through Sunshine is an album that explores wider soundscapes, mixing minimalism, contemporary psychedelia and acid improvisations, what they call "acid-jams".  Kanaan, from 2016 to today, have remained a close-knit and stable power-trio, consisting of Ask Vatn Strøm on guitar, Eskild Myrvoll on bass and Ingvald André Vassbø on drums.  The title, "Diversions Vol. 1: Softly Through Sunshine", suggests the idea of a "diversion", a pleasant and controlled deviation from their usual musical path.
 

A record that captures the pure essence of music, without the pressures of perfectionism, a sonic journey that embraces improvisation and spontaneity. Unlike their major albums, such as "Earthbound," which boast towering rock structures and intricate riffs, this record focuses on capturing "music in the moment," an experience free from commercial expectations.

The heart of this album is minimalism and dilation. Instead of overloading the listener with an explosion of sounds, it invites an almost meditative state, using hypnotic repetitions reminiscent of Krautrock and minimalism. It is a sound experience that dilates time and space, transporting you to a world of tranquility.

The synergy between the musicians is fundamental. This album is not about individual virtuosity, but about the harmonious interaction between the four members of the group (the trio plus Håvard Ersland). It's a sonic conversation where the instruments merge, creating a cohesive and interconnected soundscape. It is an album that celebrates the creative process over the finished product, exploring the beauty of calm and psychedelic abstraction.

Much of the sound of this band is due to the influences of Ingvald André Vassbø who grew up immersed in Krautrock and Prog of the 70s, genres that are the true soul of his drumming style.  His strongest influences in this field are seen above all in motorik beat, a constant and hypnotic 4/4 rhythm, made famous by drummers such as Klaus Dinger (NEU!) and Jaki Liebezeit (Can). Vassbø uses it to create the circular and trance-agonistic bases typical of Kanaan, allowing the music to flow naturally without abrupt interruptions. Very important in his style is the "Jazzy" and Experimental approach, thanks to his jazz training, he mixes the mechanical precision of Krautrock with the reactivity of improvisation. It is inspired by bands that pushed the limits of the genre, such as Can and Amon Düül II.

It is inevitable to note the influence of Motorpsycho, one of his greatest declared influences, giants of Norwegian rock who have made Krautrock a fundamental element of their music. Vassbø has gone from being a die-hard fan to becoming their drummer for recent tours, bringing the same desire for boundless sonic exploration to the Kanaan trio. I followed him in his 2024 project Cloud Sculptors by Full Earth.
 

I have the JANSEN141LP, and I must say that the quality of the print is really remarkable.  It enhances the dynamics of the drums and the warmth of the Hammond organ, which are precisely the key elements of this album.

"Voyaging" is a space journey, a sound odyssey that starts from a deep silence and turns into an explosion of cosmic colors and sounds. A monumental suite of Krautrock/Space Rock that represents the beating heart of the album.  Vassbø, on drums, is the tireless driver, who maintains a constant motorik rhythm for 15 minutes, varying the intensity of the blow to guide us towards the climax. Ersland, on the organ, begins with ambient drones that create a suspended atmosphere, and then flows into wild solos by Hammond towards the end, like a rocket taking off. Myrvoll, on bass, builds a "wall" of low frequencies that anchors the guitar to the ground while it soars towards infinity.

"Softly Through Sunshine" is a ray of sunshine that crosses an enchanted forest, a pastoral jazz-psych atmosphere that envelops us in a warm and welcoming embrace. It is the most melodic and sunny song of the album, almost dreamlike. Ask Vatn Strøm, on guitar, gives us his jazz soul, with clean tones, delicate arpeggios and a skilful use of delay that creates sound "light". Ersland, on synth/piano, adds crystalline textures that give the song a feeling of cinematic amplitude, as if we were watching a movie.

"Hyperstate" is a journey into a synthetic and tense world, a psychedelic bridge that takes us to new dimensions. It is a more experimental ambient-electronic rock track, which acts as a passage between worlds. Myrvoll, on synthesizers, takes the reins together with Ersland, creating a carpet of electronic oscillations that transport us to another dimension. Vassbø, on percussion, takes a more unstructured approach, working a lot on cymbals and small rhythmic accents that add tension and mystery.

"Immanence" is a sonic exploration between silence and improvised chaos, a journey into acid jazz/free psych that challenges us to discover new horizons. Ersland, on Hammond organ, is the absolute protagonist, with his "percussive" style that pushes the band towards 70s jazz-fusion territories. Vatn Strøm, on guitar, goes from reverberated chords to acid and angular improvisations, reacting in real time to the stimuli of the keyboards and creating a continuous dialogue with Ersland.

"Cab Light Rocker" is the worthy closing of the album, a slow, smoky and relaxed song that brings us back down to earth after space travel. A piece of lo-fi psych blues that shows the incredible cohesion of the Kanaan Trio. They play "back on the beat", creating an end-of-the-night jam atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and reflecting. Vatn Strøm closes with a very warm bluesy phrasing that contrasts with the spatial coldness of the previous tracks, leaving us with a sense of peace and serenity.

The differences between these two chapters of the series, which are a bit like two sides of the same coin.

The first volume, "Softly", is a super relaxing, almost dreamlike experience.  It's a minimalist and psychedelic record, with a "soft" sound that envelops you.  The jams are acidic yet meditative, perfect for a relaxing sonic journey.  And organist Håvard Ersland is a key presence, with his Hammond and synths giving each track a special touch.

"Diversions Vol. 2: Enter the Astral Plane" (2023), on the other hand, is another story.  Here the band goes wild, with a more explosive and free space rock sound.  The improvisation is total and unfiltered.

In short, if the first volume is an afternoon of sun and relaxation, the second is a nocturnal and turbulent adventure in the deep cosmos.  Two different experiences, but both fantastic.

Absolutely recommended! Excellent!

My Version

Label: Jansen Records (2) – JANSEN141LP
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Norway
Release date: Nov 25, 2022

Tracklist

A1        Voyaging
A2        Softly Through Sunshine
B1        Hyperstate
B2        Immanence
B3        Cab Light Rocker

LineUp

Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer – Eskild Myrvoll
Drums, Percussion, Organ [Combo], Piano – Ingvald André Vassbø
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Ask Vatn Strøm
Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Written by Håvard Ersland

Listening link on the main streaming platforms at the following links:

Bandcamp (Streaming and Direct Support): It is the best way to listen to the album in high quality and directly support the band and the label.

Kanaan - Diversions Vol. 1: Softly Through Sunshine

Spotify: Available for free (with ads) or with a Premium subscription.

YouTube Music: Free access to the full album playlist.

Deezer: Listening available on the platform.

Apple Music: Available to subscribers to the service.

Amazon Music: Available by subscription or for purchase in digital/physical format

Note: All links to the musicians’ works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists"