The conception in question is mostly a mixture of dance beats, jazz horn section licks, half-spoken vocals and solos from keyboard, bass clarinet and trumpet. Apparently such concoctions have been popular in Oslo dance clubs in recent years, which is good for jazz, but there's not much here to support the "new" aspect of Bugge's claim. Similar sounds have been heard from various artists in most major western cities these past 10 years. Nevertheless, Bugge creates some effective moods, and there are some good jazz moments, notably on "New Conception Of Jazz 2", where the wholesome influence of Herbie Hancock's Sextant is evident, and Wesseltoft shows his undoubted jazz chops at the Fender Rhodes. More of this and Nils Petter Molvaer's trumpet on "Poem" or the freer improvisation of Trio would have been welcome, but the set might then have veered too close to old conceptions of jazz for Bugge's taste.--Mark Gilbert