CD Reviews

Detoxing

Pristine

Blues News Records

I had the opportunity to catch this Norwegian band perform three of their four sets during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis recently. Each time they played the crowd steadily became larger as word on Beale Street spread of their performances. Fronted by the energetic, red-headed vocalist Heidi Solheim swaying, jumping and swishing her long hair along with the music, it is really quite a show. But it’s not all about her presence, which does have a strong appeal, the band is really quite talented. Especially guitarist Espen Elverum Jakobsen who can make those strings sizzle and tell a story all on their own. Then throw in keyboardist Anders Oskal creating a haunting, deep feel and you have a sensationally hot outfit that should be heard far beyond their Scandinavian reaches.

All the songs on this release, Detoxing, were written by Solheim, with the only exception a stunning, slow-paced take on Gregg Allman’s “Whipping Post.” There is a lot of drive behind them all, noted right off the get-go on the opening jazzy track “Damned If I Do,” where Solheim’s voice soars strongly and Jakobsen’s guitar carries a ferocious overlay that is pounding and surreal. Solheim can carry her delivery quite breathy at times as seen on “You Don’t Know” and the horn-fueled (provided by the trumpet of Petter Marius Gundersen) “The Blind”, that also features the guitar attack of Knut Reiersrud,” one of Norway’s foremost known bluesmen. “Breaking Bad” has a Texas blues feel behind it, while Oskal’s organ work can bring a definite psychedelic approach to many of the tunes. Speaking of psychedelic, the eleven-plus minute title track is a wild ride in that style that may bring about visions of San Francisco-based bands from the late 60s. It is their lengthier numbers that really bring the band to focus, especially the aforementioned “Damned If I Do” and the slow blues “The Last Day” where Jakobsen is at his best at laying out tasty string-work alongside Reiersrud while Solheim delivers a nice soulful vocal range.

Pristine may be at their best seen in a live setting, but Detoxing is an album that carries over a lot of their stage presence. Pure rockin’ blues with maybe a somewhat fusion style and a definite European flavor. Pristine is quite unique and very enjoyable.

Total Time: 53:57

Damned If I Do / You Don’t Know / Breaking Bad / Whipping Post / The Countdown / Damage Is Done / The Last Day / Detoxing / The Blind