I have a soft spot for the folks at Norway’s Snorkel Records. Not just because of their always polished pukka productions, and significant musical skills, but also because they also seem to have a strong sense of humour. All the riffs on tropes, and nods to references, are clearly love letters to personal heroes. They are proper professional, never pastiche, but they also don’t appear to take themselves too seriously. Everything’s done with a tongue-in-cheek twist. The feel is very much that of a gang of talented friends having fun. Olav Brekke Mathisen & Sideshow Jøgge’s N.A.O.M.B., originally released in 2003, on CD, via The Idjut Boys’ imprint, Discfunction, was a direct influence on the Snorkel ethos and sound. In recognition of this, and to celebrate the album’s 20th birthday the label have pressed up a lavish 3 X LP edition. Proving my point, opener, Hasjbox, comes on like Claudio Simonetti remixing a Vangelis score, cinematic Italo disco, however it also features a skit where a traveller, lost in space, bumps into a super computer that believe it’s God. 

Having been sent the promo, my curiosity was initially piqued by the “reimagining” of The Orb’s Little Fluffy Clouds. Fluffy The Vampire is a smart, smile-inducing, sorta jazz-funk cover of the “ambient house” landmark. The b-line, an almost Chic / Good Times groove. While an easy, gimmicky, way in, and brilliant, it’s actually one of the least interesting tracks on offer. Crocket & Me recreates a busy, bustling bar. Crowd noise, and a snippet that might be Dee-Lite, spinning around a tune that’s dizzy, uplifting. Elektromotor is collaged with cartoon sound effects, and clearly a big George Clinton / P-Funk homage. Throughout there’s a soulful electro-boogie bounce, as the pair proudly showoff their squelchy fusion synths, far-out solos, and considerable keyboard chops. Syn drums pop, and on Gul Boss there’s a quick tip of the hat to Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean. The piece packs so many hooks, though, that this is just fleeting, as a subliminal shout urges you to dance, surrounded by seismic sub-bass drops. 

Samples of a sexy, slinky diva, sugar Ansatt I Kommunen, which shakes its tail feather in the direction of smooth French Touch. Classic rap clips colour Ei, Zwei, Drei, Fitteboy. Its frugging, again, further encouraged by background cheers and roars. The closer flaunts flute, worthy of Brian Jackson, copious carnival whistles, and a gospel vocal that wants you to “Spread your wings” and  as its title suggests, Take To The Sky. All of this shiny, happy, party people music is obviously far too jolly – pending a personality transplant – for a miserable old git like me (it’s all Skullcrusher here indoors), but flawless in its execution and production, the album effortlessly expresses the admirable desire to disseminate plenty of dancefloor positivity and good, good vibes. 

Olav Brekke Mathisen & Sideshow Jøgge’s N.A.O.M.B. can be pre-ordered directly from Snorkel Records.