Kei Matsumaru, Kalle Moberg

Tip! “Logrende tunger” documents the first meeting between accordionist Kalle Moberg and saxophonist Kei Matsumaru — both extraordinary instrumentalists who pay great attention to the purely sonic qualities of their instruments, but also share a profoundly complimentary understanding of harmony and form. The duo was introduced by mutual friend and colleague Jim O’Rourke, whose inner ear suggested that the two might create something special together. And indeed, the recording O’Rourke made of the duo in Kobuchizawa, Japan, on a winter day in early 2024, bears witness to a truly fascinating union. 

 

They instantly co-create an inviting chamber musical space —intimate and expansive, transparent and mysterious, resolute and full of wonder. Hints of both Baroque and early electronic music can be traced; yet, while the music evokes a wealth of associations, it never comes across as merely derivative. Despite stemming from an improvisational first encounter, the music presented on “Logrende tunger” feels entirely self-contained, and unfolds with elegant ease. 

Kei Matsumaru is based in Tokyo, but grew up in a remote village in Papua New Guinea, and this upbringing has always been his primary artistic inspiration. In addition to solo work involving both saxophone and electronics, he has collaborated with artists like Eiko Ishibashi, Otomo Yoshihide, and Fabiano do Nascimento.

Kalle Moberg is based in the village of Rollag, Norway. His background is impressively diverse, but later years have seen him focusing particularly on expanding the sonic possibilities of his intstrument, through the development of new techniques. Over the past decade, he has performed across much of the world—both as a soloist, as a member of Paal Nilssen-Love’s bands Large Unit and Circus, and in collaboration with pioneering improvisational musicians like Paul Lytton and Mat Maneri.

Both caught the attention of multi-disciplinary artist Jim O’Rourke, who initiated and facilitated the recording. "Logrende tunger" blossomed from imagination; a music yet to be manifested. O´rourke heard something new. We now have the opportunity to do the same!