Skarbø Skulekorps - Innesko (2023)

Skarbø Skulekorps (Skarbø School band) is a band full of contradictions: The marching band that never marches. The jazz outfit that strikes a chord with people who hate jazz. And it doesn’t get any less confusing as the ensemble announces the release of their third album, Innesko (indoor shoes).

Ranging from sleazy funk gems straight out of an American soap opera circa 1985 (Miami) – to thoughtful jazz meets clubbing (HI-HTS): Innesko provides 9 extremely varied pieces that still belong together. It’s this unpredictability that has defined Skarbø Skulekorps these past four years and that keeps audiences and critics engaged. Performing at Norway’s biggest pop festival Øyafestivalen and the country’s premier talk show (Lindmo) in addition to being awarded the prestigious EDVARD award for their last record, the stakes are way too high.

But composer, drummer, producer and band leader Øyvind Skarbø can’t do anything but follow his instincts: «I am not at all strategic when starting a new album. Whatever I’m interested in at the moment, ends up on the record.»

2019’s eponymous debut album was recorded live in the studio, with very detailed musical arrangements. Dugnad (2021) was more of a studio project, much due to the pandemic. «The music I’m writing is often a reaction to the last thing I did. Dugnad was built up bit by bit. When I was ready to make Innesko, I wanted to fuse the different working methods from the two previous albums.»

The bulk of Innesko was recorded at Bergen Kjøtt, a former slaughterhouse turned culture centre in Skarbø’s hometown Bergen. The seven musicians recorded new music throughout the day, including a portion that ended up as a concert film. The material from the session was then reworked by Skarbø and additional recordings done by the musicians at their houses were added. Mix and mastering is by sound wizard Jørgen Træen, who also worked on the two previous albums.

The band still consists of some of Norway’s best improvising musicians, known from bands like Jaga Jazzist, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and Sondre Lerche. But one name is new to the fold: Mari Kvien Brunvoll, vocalist with groups such as Building Instrument and Stein & Mari, makes a guest appearance on Lat-Lo. Skarbø: «Mari and I studied jazz together almost 20 years ago. We’ve wanted to do something together for years, but were waiting for the right opportunity. Suddenly it struck me: Obviously, Mari should sing on Lat-Lo!»

This particular song, inspired by 70’s California rock, was released as an instrumental track by Skarbø’s former band Bly de Blyant in 2016, featuring Shahzad Ismaily, Ches Smith and Hilmar Jensson. «As I was teaching it to the band I forgot to teach them one of the main sections. I’ve always heard it as a vocal tune anyway.»

The music is varied, complex and with plenty of resistance. The titles themselves reveal some of the creativity and variation in this material: From Snublepus («stumbling kitty»), dedicated to Skarbø’s cat which was in danger of having to amputate one of his hind legs, to Defund The Jazz Police, a title that says a lot about the group’s attitude towards genres.

Innesko marks not only another chapter for Skarbø Skulekorps, but also for the re-launch of the label Øyvind Jazzforum. After close to 15 years of releasing music on established labels, the time has come to take a more active role. «For my own projects I have ideas about most parts of the process. It’s only natural that I revitalise Øyvind Jazzforum, and take even more responsibility for my own work.»