Ensemble Nimbus – Scapegoat (1998, CD, Sweden)

Tracklist:
1. Burning Arrows (8:48)
2. Three Figures (5:30)
3. Empty Chairs (2:39)
4. Algebra Of Needs (3:43)
5. Useless Passion (3:43)
6. Offering (7:22)
7. The Cross Of Infamy (1:55)
8. Trial By Error (4:42)
9. Middle Of The Moment (1:59)
10. Wooden Tuxedo (5:17)
11. Epigram (3:26)

Musicians:

Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Effects, Loops – Lars Björk

Acoustic-Electric Drums, Percussion, Computer – Hasse Bruniusson

Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Tapes, Loops, Effects, Voice – Håkan Almkvist

Viola, Violin, Voice – Kirk Chilton

Keyboards –  - Tomas Bodin (3)
Keyboards & accordion – Stefan Karlsson (10)
Bass – Stomu Imazawa (4)

In 1996 Stefan Carlsson parted ways with Ensemble Nimbus, although he was present as a guest on the band's second album ''Scapegoat'' (1998, TonArt Production/Record Heaven).Most of the keyboard parts were played Håkan Almkvist with special guests Stomu Imazawa on bass and Tomas Bodin on keyboards.This was a less chaotic and more focused R.I.O. effort by the Swedish combo, heavily influnced by Univers Zero and Samla Mammas Manna, with leading instruments being the bass, drums, strings and keyborards, although there are some ice-cold guitar moves in here with a definite King Crimson edge.Despite a more compact style, Ensemble Nimbus' music remains odd, mysterious and at moments dark.Suprising dissonances, dives into Chamber Music with omnipresent violin/viola parts by Kirk Chilton, unusual keyboard lines and light piano themes and a mechanical rhythm section.The arrangements are trully professional with lots of intstrumental intercations, bizarre breaks into experimental soundscapes and more clean Chamber-like orchestrations.A solid, deeply progressive R.I.O. effort. (apps79)