Eivind Opsvik

Photograph: Michelle Arcila

Nublu; Sun, May 18

Even without glancing at the name on the spine, you can often tell when you’re holding a Scandinavian jazz CD as opposed to an American one—the main indicator being that the artwork probably doesn’t suggest jazz at all. Overseas III, which bassist Eivind Opsvik officially unveils at Sunday’s gig, is a case in point: Recalling recent releases by fellow Norwegians In the Country and Pan-Scandinavian outfit the Thing, the design’s cryptic nature vistas bring to mind releases by avant-rock groups like Animal Collective and Battles.

While cover-art analysis might seem superficial, Opsvik’s music resists pigeonholing in similar ways. Overseas III’s opener, “Neil,” hinges on Kenny Wolleson’s lazy backbeat and a dreamy theme, rendered with keys and pedal steel, that could accommodate a soul or pop vocal with room to spare. Opsvik—based in NYC for the past decade—roped in an outstanding cast of locals for the recording, including saxist Tony Malaby and keyboardist Jacob Sacks, both of whom will play at Nublu, along with Wolleson. But tracks such as the delicate, mystery-filled “Ginger Rogers” and the playfully breezy “Breath of Bark” employ the sidemen more as texturalists than star improvisers. That’s just one reason this record-release show ought to come across like a group of songs despite its instrumental-jazz milieu. Same goes for the opening set from Oslo-based saxist Håkon Kornstad, who simulates a full band using just saxophone and a loop pedal.