Needlepoint

Diary of Robert Reverie Needlepoint

What do you get if you combine Robert Wyatt's and Syd Barret's melodies with the very best from the 70's fusion and the playful feeling of early Weather Report? Put in some grooves of Return To Forever, and finally add a slice of the classy and thoughtful songwriting of progrock legends like Caravan, Matching Mole, Gentle Giant and Camel? Well, you might not get the latest Needlepoint album, but at least we're close.

A lot of these references were explored on the band's previous albums 'Outside The Screen' en 'Aimless Mary' too, but on the fourth album 'The Diary of Robert Reverie' they embrace them even more, it's effortless, lightfooted, swaying, enthusiastic and playful.

Olaf Olsen's drums are even more present and dynamically swirls up the songs, while David Wallumrod plays the keys with an organic nerve as if the sound came from the earth itself. Everything is supervised by producer and bass-player Nikolai Haengsle, who is not afraid to turn on the fuzz when needed and, not unlike Soft Machine, still there's melody in each bass line. At the same time maestro and songwriter Bjorn Klakegg's guitar floats all over it and keeps it together ranging from melodious soft jazz to

wild rock heroism.

Many of the lyrics are inspired by the environment around Bjorn's place in Sweden, and the main character Robert, a dreamy individual, is also inspired by the nice, sometimes strange people in the small village. Bjorn's older brother Rune Klakegg has illustrated the cover.