Tween Deck 2 is the electronic-ambient project of Håkan Almkvist and Lars Björk, two of the members of the Swedish RIO group Ensemble Nimbus. Almkvist’s situation is very special and interesting, as in spite of being involved at the same time in several groups (In The Labyrinth, Orient Squeezers and others), the music of each project has no direct relationship with the rest, and Tween Deck 2 it is not an exception. 

The sound of this CD is not exactly progressive rock, although it can be related to a extent with some bands and musicians of the genre like Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Art Zoyd and Steve Roach. Also, if we speak of particular albums, the nearest as for musical concept would be Robert Fripp's soundscapes, mainly those included in The gates of paradise, as well as Djam Karet's Suspension and displacement. We stand in front of an album of electronic-ambient music, in some moments noisy and atmospheric, that has a strong improvisational side and plenty of loops, treatments, effects and references. The musicians that have achieved this are the already mentioned Håkan Almkvist (guitar, bass, keyboards, voice, loops, radio, Fx) and Lars Björk (altered clarinet, percussion, voice, loops, Fx), the more ambient side of Ensemble Nimbus. 

The album, with a total length of 62:29, starts with "Ancestors" (5:56), a beautiful electronic piece with references to the soundscapes of Fripp. Next, "Catacomb" (6:10) reminds from the music of Ozric Tentacles in Strangeitude, presenting a great variety of loops and filtered voices. "Heavy eyelids" (3:47) is a very gloomy ambient piece, with a melody that reminds from some parts of the projeKcts. The fourth song is “Strange lands" (2:48), with noise and touches from experimental contemporary music, and that seems completely improvised. "Down the drain" (5:56) presents multiple effects and oriental influences, with a constant rhythm that gives form to a wonderful piece.  

Next, “Slimy creatures" (3:29) is a very experimental dark noise piece, continued by "Zoiding" (4:19), electronic and repetitive, with a good work of the rhythms. "Steampower plan" (4:10) returns us to abyssal atmospheres, with voice effects in French and noise. "Thresher" (4:34) is pure repetition, with excellent effects and a good evolution of the instruments. The following song, “A little tea" (2:45) is again repetitive and dark, while “Mud mysticism" (5:28) presents oriental influences in a very beautiful song. "Closing time" (4:09) is a very underground dark ambient piece that paves the way to the slow and atmospheric “Heavy load" (4:33). The work ends up with "Nimrud" (5:16), a jewel of contemporary music, ambient and electronic with oriental influences. 

Summarising, Tween Deck 2 is not a strict progressive rock album, but it includes references to music and sounds from the genre. It is also progressive in mentality and risk, and therefore, it is recommended. Listen to it. 

Jaume Pujol - April 2000

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