Norwegian jazz duo Klaus Ellerhusen Holm on sax and clarinet and double bassist Roger Arntzen do their heroes proud on this self-titled release. Ballrogg?s reverence for Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman is the reason for this release, but it often feels more like a tribute than an exploration of those greats and their ideas.

Of the ten tracks here, seven are covers, most notable Coleman?s ?Sex Spy? a fairly hot opener. They cover four Dolphy tunes, two from his legendary ?Out To Lunch? record. Holm?s tone is strong and sweet throughout, and Arntzen, who comes from a bit more of an experimental background, manages to carve out space. Though how could he not, since both Coleman and Dolphy were all about time-expansion. Their interplay on the Jimmy Giuffre?s ?Emphasis? is deep and memorable.

That said, the original tunes can?t help but lack in comparison or seem like exercises based on the masters. The playing on ?Rogg? and ?Weissbein? is solid, but restrained.

Ballrogg have their chops, and their mentors are well chosen. But this release seems a little too reverent at times, and often too willing to settle for expected bop structures, which seems odd, given the revolutions in sound and mind that Eric Dolphy and Ornette Coleman lived and advocated. 6/10 -- Mike Wood (25 June, 2008)