Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer has cropped up as a sideman on a number of ECM releases by Arild Andersen, Jon Balke, Sidsel Endresen and others, and was a regular in George Russell's orchestra, when he made his sensational debut as leader on ECM. 1997's Khmer brought the contemporary sounds of drum & bass to a label mostly noted for a mixture of cool and minimalist Scandinavian jazz and the work of selected American masters. Tracks were remixed by leading names from the club scene, and the record won a roster of awards. This follow-up inevitably lacks a little of the shock value that accompanied Khmer but it's a fascinating project. It once again pits Molvaer's fragile, soft trumpet against rock and dance drum beats, programmed electronically by Molvaer, played live by Per Lindvall (ex-Abba) and Rune Arnesen, and looped by DJ Strangefruit. Most of the record's more interesting moments happen over a rattling drum & bass background. However, Solid Ether still reflects most on the combination of busy electric rhythm section and sparse, breathy, introverted brass of Miles Davis' 70s and 80s recordings. --Linton Chiswick