Rune Grammofon was established in January 1998 with the aim to release music by the most creative and adventurous Norwegian artists. Since then, it has documented the amazing flowering and development of young Norwegian talent within the areas of electronica, improvisation, ambient, free music and everything in between to long-overdue international acclaim. Among those impressed is quality label ECM who has handled the European distribution since 2000. Special care is given to the packaging of all releases, most housed in digipacks and sporting the striking design of young multi-media artist, Kim Hiorthøy. "A vibrant vision." --The Wire; "Strikingly fresh cover art, impeccably recorded sound." --BBC Music Magazine; "A label on top of its game." --BBC Online; "An indie in the finest traditions." --Time Out; "On the forefront of Norwegian jazz/electronica..." --Wallpaper; "Norway's finest record label." --The Milk Factory; "Always eclectic and enjoyable." --Dusted; "A consistently interesting label." --Flux
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MPLP 304LP
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Double LP version. If Motorpsycho's The Crucible (MPCD 103CD/MPLP 303LP, 2019) -- both visually and musically -- started where The Tower (2017) ended, one can argue that The All Is One starts where The Crucible ended and thus finishes the so-called "Gullvåg trilogy". That said, The All Is One is so much more than a sequel, and very much a standalone album in its own right. While The Crucible took the band a step further out than The Tower, the new one explores new frontiers, especially with the dark, brooding landscape of the 42-minute epic centerpiece that is "N.O.X.", possibly the most ambitious piece of music they have recorded. Eight shorter tracks, clocking in between two and ten minutes, make up the rest of the album and bring some balance to the proceedings. Lyrically, The All Is One takes up the threads from the previous albums. While there is no thematic red line as such -- and not being overtly political -- it is difficult for a socially conscious writer like Bent Sæther not to observe and reflect on what goes on in an increasingly unstable world. They have also found strong inspiration and common ground in the paintings of Håkon Gullvåg, the artist responsible for the cover art. The album was recorded in two major sessions, the first took place in Studio Black Box in France with long-time collaborator and guitarist Reine Fiske. Here they mainly focused on material with more or less traditional song structures. The second session was at Ocean Sound Recording in Norway and basically dealt with the long "N.O.X." suite, developed from the commissioned music they wrote for, and performed at, the St. Olav Festival in Trondheim last summer with two of their favorite Norwegian musicians, Lars Horntveth (Jaga Jazzist) and Ola Kvernberg (Steamdome). The whole album was mixed by Andrew Scheps at his Punkerpad studio in the UK. Artistically searching as ever, and in their own way joyously stretching the rock format as out of whack as they can, Motorpsycho neither can nor will align themselves fully to any scene or genre. Traveling their own path in their own tempo, it might take longer to get anywhere, but that is just fine when the journey itself is the whole point. And what a journey it has been; this band is still peaking after more than 30 years in the business.
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2CD
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MPCD 104CD
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$20.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 9/18/2020
If Motorpsycho's The Crucible (MPCD 103CD/MPLP 303LP, 2019) -- both visually and musically -- started where The Tower (2017) ended, one can argue that The All Is One starts where The Crucible ended and thus finishes the so-called "Gullvåg trilogy". That said, The All Is One is so much more than a sequel, and very much a standalone album in its own right. While The Crucible took the band a step further out than The Tower, the new one explores new frontiers, especially with the dark, brooding landscape of the 42-minute epic centerpiece that is "N.O.X.", possibly the most ambitious piece of music they have recorded. Eight shorter tracks, clocking in between two and ten minutes, make up the rest of the album and bring some balance to the proceedings. Lyrically, The All Is One takes up the threads from the previous albums. While there is no thematic red line as such -- and not being overtly political -- it is difficult for a socially conscious writer like Bent Sæther not to observe and reflect on what goes on in an increasingly unstable world. They have also found strong inspiration and common ground in the paintings of Håkon Gullvåg, the artist responsible for the cover art. The album was recorded in two major sessions, the first took place in Studio Black Box in France with long-time collaborator and guitarist Reine Fiske. Here they mainly focused on material with more or less traditional song structures. The second session was at Ocean Sound Recording in Norway and basically dealt with the long "N.O.X." suite, developed from the commissioned music they wrote for, and performed at, the St. Olav Festival in Trondheim last summer with two of their favorite Norwegian musicians, Lars Horntveth (Jaga Jazzist) and Ola Kvernberg (Steamdome). The whole album was mixed by Andrew Scheps at his Punkerpad studio in the UK. Artistically searching as ever, and in their own way joyously stretching the rock format as out of whack as they can, Motorpsycho neither can nor will align themselves fully to any scene or genre. Traveling their own path in their own tempo, it might take longer to get anywhere, but that is just fine when the journey itself is the whole point. And what a journey it has been; this band is still peaking after more than 30 years in the business.
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RCD 2215CD
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In May 2018 Hedvig Mollestad received an invitation from Vossajazz -- the much-loved annual festival established in 1973 -- to write the commission work for 2019. This came at the right time, she had been thinking about writing for a bigger group than the trio, and this would be a good opportunity. To make it suitable for album release the full festival version was edited, sharpened and recorded from scratch in Amper Tone studio in Oslo. And this stunning album is the result. In addition to Hedvig on guitar, the line-up includes powerhouse drummer Torstein Lofthus (Elephant9) and percussionist Ole Mofjell, the youngest member, but with solid experience from the European improvisation scene. Keyboard duties are handled by Marte Eberson, probably most known from her five years with Highasakite, and Erlend Slettevoll (The Core and supergroup Grand General). Hedvig first met trumpeter Susana Santos Silva in Mats Gustafsson's NU-ensemble. This three-women, three-men lineup defies the general notion of progressive jazz as being a typically male activity. Maybe this is why it's so multifaceted, rich on textures and melodically strong? Being the riffmeister Hedvig truly is, she has of course found room for some really strong ones, as well as some subtle and powerful soloing.
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RLP 3215LP
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LP version. White vinyl. In May 2018 Hedvig Mollestad received an invitation from Vossajazz -- the much-loved annual festival established in 1973 -- to write the commission work for 2019. This came at the right time, she had been thinking about writing for a bigger group than the trio, and this would be a good opportunity. To make it suitable for album release the full festival version was edited, sharpened and recorded from scratch in Amper Tone studio in Oslo. And this stunning album is the result. In addition to Hedvig on guitar, the line-up includes powerhouse drummer Torstein Lofthus (Elephant9) and percussionist Ole Mofjell, the youngest member, but with solid experience from the European improvisation scene. Keyboard duties are handled by Marte Eberson, probably most known from her five years with Highasakite, and Erlend Slettevoll (The Core and supergroup Grand General). Hedvig first met trumpeter Susana Santos Silva in Mats Gustafsson's NU-ensemble. This three-women, three-men lineup defies the general notion of progressive jazz as being a typically male activity. Maybe this is why it's so multifaceted, rich on textures and melodically strong? Being the riffmeister Hedvig truly is, she has of course found room for some really strong ones, as well as some subtle and powerful soloing.
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RLP 3214LP
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LP version. Rune Grammofon introduce I Like To Sleep to their roster. Taking their name from a Thelonious Monk quote, I Like To Sleep are three young Norwegian musicians, all 22 years old. Nicolas Leirtrø and Øyvind Leite first met in high school in Trondheim before they joined up with Amund in a youth big band. It soon became apparent that they shared the same musical background centered around '70s progressive rock, classical music, jazz, and improvisation. Soon after the trio was formed, first for fun, but soon with higher ambitions, they won the prestigious "Young Jazz Musicians of the Year" award in 2018. Daymare is the trio's second album, their debut was released on the small All Good Clean Records label in 2017. While their debut showed a lot of quality and promise, their new effort is a huge step forward on all accounts, especially considering their young age. The lazy way would be to place I Like To Sleep with certain other Rune Grammofon "power jazz" groups, but their unique instrumentation, natural openness and youthful curiosity place them apart from the rest. All three members are currently in the middle of their jazz studies at NTNU in Trondheim. They are active as composers, freelancers and in other projects, including concert booking on the city's vibrant music scene. In case you recognize the name, Amund Storløkken Åse is the son of Ståle Storløkken who as a member of Supersilent appeared on Rune Grammofon's very first release back in early 1998, and later on several more records with Supersilent, Humcrush, Elephant9, and a couple of times with Motorpsycho. The circle is closed. Personnel: Amund Storløkken Åse - vibraphone; Nicolas Leirtrø - baritone guitar; Øyvind Leite - drums.
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RLP 3213LP
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LP version. Rune Grammofon introduce a new name to their roster. Master Oogway are four young musicians aged between 23 and 26. They met at the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2015 with a common desire to play vibrant, improvised music with strong themes and room for spontaneity at a high energy level. Like many players on the young, Norwegian progressive jazz scene their instrumental skills are already highly developed but never used to show off. Earth And Other Worlds is the quartet's second album, their debut was released on the Clean Feed label in 2018. Their new effort is more dynamic and varied and shows more mature and accomplished songwriting, not to mention the stronger group interactions and the impressive solo stretches from sax player Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll and guitarist/composer Håvard Nordberg Funderud. While it's fair to say that they operate in much of the same musical landscape as Bushman's Revenge or Kokofant, it's equally fair to note that their general approach and attitude comes with a slightly stronger emphasis on jazz. Håvard Nordberg Funderud finished his bachelor at the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2018 and has also studied in Gothenburg and Copenhagen. He is involved in several projects, but Master Oogway is his priority. Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll and Karl Erik Horndalsveen have both finished their education at the same academy as Funderud. Martin Heggli Mellem is currently finishing his bachelor at the jazz program at NTNU in Trondheim. Personnel: Håvard Nordberg Funderud - guitar; Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll - saxophone; Karl Erik Horndalsveen - double bass; Martin Heggli Mellem - drums.
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RCD 2213CD
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Rune Grammofon introduce a new name to their roster. Master Oogway are four young musicians aged between 23 and 26. They met at the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2015 with a common desire to play vibrant, improvised music with strong themes and room for spontaneity at a high energy level. Like many players on the young, Norwegian progressive jazz scene their instrumental skills are already highly developed but never used to show off. Earth And Other Worlds is the quartet's second album, their debut was released on the Clean Feed label in 2018. Their new effort is more dynamic and varied and shows more mature and accomplished songwriting, not to mention the stronger group interactions and the impressive solo stretches from sax player Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll and guitarist/composer Håvard Nordberg Funderud. While it's fair to say that they operate in much of the same musical landscape as Bushman's Revenge or Kokofant, it's equally fair to note that their general approach and attitude comes with a slightly stronger emphasis on jazz. Håvard Nordberg Funderud finished his bachelor at the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2018 and has also studied in Gothenburg and Copenhagen. He is involved in several projects, but Master Oogway is his priority. Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll and Karl Erik Horndalsveen have both finished their education at the same academy as Funderud. Martin Heggli Mellem is currently finishing his bachelor at the jazz program at NTNU in Trondheim. Personnel: Håvard Nordberg Funderud - guitar; Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll - saxophone; Karl Erik Horndalsveen - double bass; Martin Heggli Mellem - drums.
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RCD 2214CD
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Rune Grammofon introduce I Like To Sleep to their roster. Taking their name from a Thelonious Monk quote, I Like To Sleep are three young Norwegian musicians, all 22 years old. Nicolas Leirtrø and Øyvind Leite first met in high school in Trondheim before they joined up with Amund in a youth big band. It soon became apparent that they shared the same musical background centered around '70s progressive rock, classical music, jazz, and improvisation. Soon after the trio was formed, first for fun, but soon with higher ambitions, they won the prestigious "Young Jazz Musicians of the Year" award in 2018. Daymare is the trio's second album, their debut was released on the small All Good Clean Records label in 2017. While their debut showed a lot of quality and promise, their new effort is a huge step forward on all accounts, especially considering their young age. The lazy way would be to place I Like To Sleep with certain other Rune Grammofon "power jazz" groups, but their unique instrumentation, natural openness and youthful curiosity place them apart from the rest. All three members are currently in the middle of their jazz studies at NTNU in Trondheim. They are active as composers, freelancers and in other projects, including concert booking on the city's vibrant music scene. In case you recognize the name, Amund Storløkken Åse is the son of Ståle Storløkken who as a member of Supersilent appeared on Rune Grammofon's very first release back in early 1998, and later on several more records with Supersilent, Humcrush, Elephant9, and a couple of times with Motorpsycho. The circle is closed. Personnel: Amund Storløkken Åse - vibraphone; Nicolas Leirtrø - baritone guitar; Øyvind Leite - drums.
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CD
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RCD 2212CD
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$14.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 4/3/2020
Original score by Krzysztof Penderecki. New reading and conduction by Mats Gustafsson. The first (and until now only?) recorded interpretation of Krzysztof Penderecki's Actions For Free Jazz Orchestra took place in 1971 at Donaueschingen and featured the New Eternal Rhythm Orchestra, assembled by Don Cherry for the occasion and conducted by the great Polish composer. That orchestra also consisted of 14 musicians, including international jazz heavyweights such as Kenny Wheeler, Peter Brötzmann, Thomasz Stanko, Terje Rypdal, Han Bennink, and others. Don Cherry himself did not perform. Penderecki had heard the Globe Unity Orchestra a couple of years earlier and was fascinated by the possibilities of working with musicians from a different background and with other perspectives than he was used to from the classical world. The challenge for all involved was to find the right balance between composition and improvisation. The idea was initially met with some skepticism from the musicians, but this soon gave way to acceptance and even eagerness. The new, extended reading by Mats Gustafsson and Fire! Orchestra was commissioned by the Sacrum Profanum festival in Kraków, Poland in 2018. The idea was to place this classic piece in a contemporary setting, with a new approach and a new body of sound. However, the original score was used as a platform for the new reading, connecting history with the present. A score in this context is most often of a graphic nature to present reference points, visualized on the sleeve by Kim Hiorthøy's cut-up adaption of Mats Gustafsson's score. It's also worth noticing that the instrumentation is more or less identical to that of 1971, the main difference being a tuba replacing one of the trombones. Finally, this new reading clocks in at 40 minutes, and is thus considerably longer than the 1971 version. This line-up of the Fire! Orchestra is unique in that it's the first time without founding members and singers Mariam Wallentin and Sofia Jernberg. It's also the first time with guitarist Reine Fiske.
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RLP 3212LP
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LP version. Original score by Krzysztof Penderecki. New reading and conduction by Mats Gustafsson. The first (and until now only?) recorded interpretation of Krzysztof Penderecki's Actions For Free Jazz Orchestra took place in 1971 at Donaueschingen and featured the New Eternal Rhythm Orchestra, assembled by Don Cherry for the occasion and conducted by the great Polish composer. That orchestra also consisted of 14 musicians, including international jazz heavyweights such as Kenny Wheeler, Peter Brötzmann, Thomasz Stanko, Terje Rypdal, Han Bennink, and others. Don Cherry himself did not perform. Penderecki had heard the Globe Unity Orchestra a couple of years earlier and was fascinated by the possibilities of working with musicians from a different background and with other perspectives than he was used to from the classical world. The challenge for all involved was to find the right balance between composition and improvisation. The idea was initially met with some skepticism from the musicians, but this soon gave way to acceptance and even eagerness. The new, extended reading by Mats Gustafsson and Fire! Orchestra was commissioned by the Sacrum Profanum festival in Kraków, Poland in 2018. The idea was to place this classic piece in a contemporary setting, with a new approach and a new body of sound. However, the original score was used as a platform for the new reading, connecting history with the present. A score in this context is most often of a graphic nature to present reference points, visualized on the sleeve by Kim Hiorthøy's cut-up adaption of Mats Gustafsson's score. It's also worth noticing that the instrumentation is more or less identical to that of 1971, the main difference being a tuba replacing one of the trombones. Finally, this new reading clocks in at 40 minutes, and is thus considerably longer than the 1971 version. This line-up of the Fire! Orchestra is unique in that it's the first time without founding members and singers Mariam Wallentin and Sofia Jernberg. It's also the first time with guitarist Reine Fiske.
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RCD 2211CD
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Henry Kaiser is an American guitarist, composer, label founder, photographer, and professional diver. He appears on more than 250 albums, including collaborations with the likes of Fred Frith, Richard Thompson, David Lindley, Wadada Leo Smith, Derek Bailey, Jim O'Rourke, and numerous others. In 2017 he initiated and produced the two Sky Music albums (RCD 2194CD/RLP 3194LP, RLP 2195LP), both tributes to Norwegian guitar legend Terje Rypdal. Ivar Grydeland is a Norwegian guitarist and composer, most known from the trio Huntsville (Rune Grammofon, Hubro) and Dans Les Arbres (ECM, Hubro, Sofa). He has recorded and performed with a number of musicians including Nils Petter Molvær, David Sylvian, Tony Oxley, Nels Cline, Thurston Moore, and Paul Lovens. He has released two solo albums on Hubro. The two guitarists first met in an Oslo studio in January 2019. Having admired each other's work for some time, they decided right there and then to record a guitar duet collaboration specifically to create a soundtrack for a classic Norwegian silent film. They spent 30 minutes setting up to record and Kaiser suggested a short test recording to one of the less likely candidates, Roald Amundsen's 1925 documentary Ellsworths flyveekspedition 1925. One hour and fifty-six minutes later, they set down their guitars and shook their heads in wonder. They had played for the entire length of the film without breaks, in the process creating a complete score for the film. The Norwegian explorer was a key figure of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. In 1911, he led the first expedition to the South Pole, and is proven to have been the first to reach the North Pole in 1926. Across the Arctic, traditions of shamanism endure among the Inuit. A vision of the Arctic outside of mundane history, yet common in human polar experience, exists in "time out of time" or "everywhen", during which the land is inhabited by figures of heroic proportions. Amundsen and his colleagues were just such figures. Grydeland and Kaiser seemed to have entered into a kind of Arctic Dreamtime as they conjured this film soundtrack into existence; playing in real time with the film. Their guitar improvisations explore historic events, and invoke those heroic figures of the far north, illuminating both Norwegian history, and shamanic time outside of history, through music.
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LP+CD
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RLP 3209LP
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LP version. Includes CD. As David Fricke points out in his liner notes, this is not just another novelty guest-project, the Krokofant on Q is like a brand-new band. In fact, all the involved are so happy with this album that there's more to come with a bunch of new material already written. After three albums in three years as a trio, and sensing the possible danger of being stuck in a formula, they all felt a need to try something new, taking the band one step further. Especially Tom Hasslan, guitarist and main composer, felt an urge to expand the canvas and sonic possibilities. Ståle Storløkken (Elephant9, Supersilent, Terje Rypdal) was the trio's first choice for a keyboardist. He had seen Krokofant live in 2015 and, in his own words "had an instant kick", so he said yes straight away. Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (Scorch Trio, The Thing, Atomic) had seen them the same year, and practically invited himself to join up at some time. Hasslan's tunes are perfect vehicles for Storløkken to present the full scope of his playing; from sheer pastoral beauty to full on jazz skronk. The same can be said about Jørgen Mathisen, who is given ample room for soloing. By introducing Håker Flaten and his bass, work was lifted from Hasslan's shoulders while a "proper" rhythm section was born, Skalstad and Flaten instantly bonding. Personnel: Tom Hasslan - guitars; Axel Skalstad - drums; Jørgen Mathisen - saxophones; Ståle Storløkken - Hammond organ and keyboards; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten - bass.
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RCD 2209CD
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As David Fricke points out in his liner notes, this is not just another novelty guest-project, the Krokofant on Q is like a brand-new band. In fact, all the involved are so happy with this album that there's more to come with a bunch of new material already written. After three albums in three years as a trio, and sensing the possible danger of being stuck in a formula, they all felt a need to try something new, taking the band one step further. Especially Tom Hasslan, guitarist and main composer, felt an urge to expand the canvas and sonic possibilities. Ståle Storløkken (Elephant9, Supersilent, Terje Rypdal) was the trio's first choice for a keyboardist. He had seen Krokofant live in 2015 and, in his own words "had an instant kick", so he said yes straight away. Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (Scorch Trio, The Thing, Atomic) had seen them the same year, and practically invited himself to join up at some time. Hasslan's tunes are perfect vehicles for Storløkken to present the full scope of his playing; from sheer pastoral beauty to full on jazz skronk. The same can be said about Jørgen Mathisen, who is given ample room for soloing. By introducing Håker Flaten and his bass, work was lifted from Hasslan's shoulders while a "proper" rhythm section was born, Skalstad and Flaten instantly bonding. Personnel: Tom Hasslan - guitars; Axel Skalstad - drums; Jørgen Mathisen - saxophones; Ståle Storløkken - Hammond organ and keyboards; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten - bass.
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4LP BOX/2CD
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RLP 3210LP
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In a world where being loud seems to be the only ticket for attention, Arve Henriksen has somewhat quietly and without much ado established himself as an important, major player on the European jazz scene. In his 20 years with Rune Grammofon counting 11 solo albums (including one for ECM) and 12 albums with Supersilent (including two for Smalltown Supersound), in addition to four albums with Food as well as numerous collaborations, far too many to mention here. During these years he has also performed quite extensively in Europe, in later years being more choose-y, often preferring more unique venues and locations. Consisting of unreleased material from around ten years back and up until 2019, The Timeless Nowhere is not a compilation in the traditional sense, but can still be seen as a career overview including many facets of his work, at the same time portraying an artist on an unstoppable quest for discovery through exploration. Indeed, these are also four individual albums that could easily have justified separate releases, but at this stage in Arve's artistic journey it also made perfect sense to assemble them as a box set. The common denominator is about inspiration drawn from composers, collaborators, new discoveries and more specifically; spontaneous interaction with other musicians without other purposes than the music itself. No talk, no demands, no intentions, no explaining; just music in a timeless nowhere. "Captured Under Mountainsides" points to the wild landscape scenery of the area where Arve grew up in the western part of Norway; overwhelming and often strikingly beautiful, but also isolated and with a sense of melancholy. "Acousmograph" is Arve on his own, inspired by compositions and musicians, more experimental in nature and partly based on sketch recordings in odd locations. "Cryosphere" is a co-production with long-time collaborator Jan Bang re-modelling material from a series of evolving concert performances. "Towards Language - Live At Punkt" could be seen as a departure from Arve´s usual approach, but at the same time it´s not. This is not a static run through -- Arve would never allow that -- but rather the kind of re-imagining process that is such a vital part of his music making.
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RLP 3208LP
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LP version. Includes CD. Eight new beguiling Kjetil Mulelid compositions expertly balancing energetic, often rhythmically complex and harmonically rich music with beautiful and evocative melodies. It's not all about Mulelid though, bassist Bjørn Marius Hegge (31) and drummer Andreas Skår Winther (28) effortlessly conjure additional layers, tones, and textures, incorporating a sense of calm; an unhurried yet constantly unfolding sound world which can be said to be distinctively Scandinavian, most typically heard in Hegge's sole composition "Bruremarsj (Wedding March)". Kjetil André Mulelid grew up in the small village of Hurdal, and started playing the piano when he was nine, after hearing Chopin on the stereo. In high school, he had the good fortune of studying with some inspiring piano teachers. Later he received a bachelor's degree in jazz performance at NTNU in Trondheim, again being blessed with top teachers, such as Erling Aksdal, Vigleik Storaas, and Espen Berg. He is also a member of jazz quartet Wako. Bjørn Marius Hegge has been making waves on the Norwegian jazz scene lately, with his quintet's debut album Hegge winning a Norwegian Grammy. He also has his own trio with pianist Oscar Grönberg and young drummer ace Hans Hulbækmo.
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RCD 2208CD
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Eight new beguiling Kjetil Mulelid compositions expertly balancing energetic, often rhythmically complex and harmonically rich music with beautiful and evocative melodies. It's not all about Mulelid though, bassist Bjørn Marius Hegge (31) and drummer Andreas Skår Winther (28) effortlessly conjure additional layers, tones, and textures, incorporating a sense of calm; an unhurried yet constantly unfolding sound world which can be said to be distinctively Scandinavian, most typically heard in Hegge's sole composition "Bruremarsj (Wedding March)". Kjetil André Mulelid grew up in the small village of Hurdal, and started playing the piano when he was nine, after hearing Chopin on the stereo. In high school, he had the good fortune of studying with some inspiring piano teachers. Later he received a bachelor's degree in jazz performance at NTNU in Trondheim, again being blessed with top teachers, such as Erling Aksdal, Vigleik Storaas, and Espen Berg. He is also a member of jazz quartet Wako. Bjørn Marius Hegge has been making waves on the Norwegian jazz scene lately, with his quintet's debut album Hegge winning a Norwegian Grammy. He also has his own trio with pianist Oscar Grönberg and young drummer ace Hans Hulbækmo.
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RLP 3204LP
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LP version. Composed, performed, mixed, and produced by Maja S. K. Ratkje, Sult is based upon Ratkje´s music created for the ballet Sult ("Hunger") by director Jo Strømgren for the Norwegian National Ballet. This is a departure from the records and live settings normally associated with Ratkje, as we find her placed behind a modified, wiggly and out-of-tune pump organ, singing songs and improvising. Metal tubes, PVC tubes and a wind machine were built into the organ; guitar strings, a bass string, a resin thread, metal and glass percussion and a bow are also utilized. With little or no previous experience, she had to learn to play the thing live, using both hands and feet at the same time as singing. Maja played live on stage during every performance, but later modified and recorded the music especially for this record, with Frode Haltli co-producing. It´s a freestanding document, an entity of its own, but the atmosphere is very much the same as in the play: the dusty city of Kristiania in the 19th century, the street noises and the sounds.
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RLP 3206LP
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Double LP version. Elephant9 was already established as a vital live favorite on the Norwegian scene -- due to a number of energetic and enthusiastically received concerts -- before their highly-acclaimed debut album Dodovoodoo was released in May 2008 (RCD 2075CD). 11 years later, and after another four studio albums, it was about time to properly document this live force in the form of not only one album, but two double albums. Indeed, the very limited, vinyl-only Live at the BBC album was released in 2011 (RLP 2118LP), but this time the band booked a four-day residency at the intimate Kampen Bistro in Oslo and invited old friend Reine Fiske -- a vital presence on previous albums Atlantis (RCD 2134CD/RLP 3134LP, 2012) and Silver Mountain (RCD 2174CD/RLP 3174LP, 2016) -- along for two of the evenings. Everything was recorded in front of enthusiastic crowds and later mixed by Christian Engfelt, another trusted collaborator. It's a rough warts-and-all mix, with no overdubs, repairs or edits. Tracks are picked from all their albums, often given lengthy workouts with room for improvisation. The trio is extremely tight and telepathic, with Ståle as the obvious soloist, but it's worth to mention the drummer for a change, Torstein being a powerhouse that truly shines on these recordings.
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CD
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RCD 2206CD
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Elephant9 was already established as a vital live favorite on the Norwegian scene -- due to a number of energetic and enthusiastically received concerts -- before their highly-acclaimed debut album Dodovoodoo was released in May 2008 (RCD 2075CD). 11 years later, and after another four studio albums, it was about time to properly document this live force in the form of not only one album, but two double albums. Indeed, the very limited, vinyl-only Live at the BBC album was released in 2011 (RLP 2118LP), but this time the band booked a four-day residency at the intimate Kampen Bistro in Oslo and invited old friend Reine Fiske -- a vital presence on previous albums Atlantis (RCD 2134CD/RLP 3134LP, 2012) and Silver Mountain (RCD 2174CD/RLP 3174LP, 2016) -- along for two of the evenings. Everything was recorded in front of enthusiastic crowds and later mixed by Christian Engfelt, another trusted collaborator. It's a rough warts-and-all mix, with no overdubs, repairs or edits. Tracks are picked from all their albums, often given lengthy workouts with room for improvisation. The trio is extremely tight and telepathic, with Ståle as the obvious soloist, but it's worth to mention the drummer for a change, Torstein being a powerhouse that truly shines on these recordings.
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2LP
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RLP 3207LP
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Double LP version. Reine Fiske has on several occasions proved a perfect guest for the Elephant9 trio, both on record and on stage. Never one to fight for attention, with Elephant9 he's a true equal given the opportunity to express himself both as a soloist as well as a rhythm guitarist, his interaction with Ståle Storløkken's keyboards creating some magic sequences. Ståle is a founder member of Supersilent since 1997, and has for many years been Terje Rypdal's trusted right hand. Nikolai Hængsle is most known from Bigband and Band of Gold. Torstein Lofthus was a member of Shining for several years and has played with a large number of jazz, pop, and rock artists. Reine Fiske is a founder member of Dungen and Träden, the continuation of the legendary Swedish group Träd, Gräs Och Stenar.
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RCD 2207CD
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Reine Fiske has on several occasions proved a perfect guest for the Elephant9 trio, both on record and on stage. Never one to fight for attention, with Elephant9 he's a true equal given the opportunity to express himself both as a soloist as well as a rhythm guitarist, his interaction with Ståle Storløkken's keyboards creating some magic sequences. Ståle is a founder member of Supersilent since 1997, and has for many years been Terje Rypdal's trusted right hand. Nikolai Hængsle is most known from Bigband and Band of Gold. Torstein Lofthus was a member of Shining for several years and has played with a large number of jazz, pop, and rock artists. Reine Fiske is a founder member of Dungen and Träden, the continuation of the legendary Swedish group Träd, Gräs Och Stenar.
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2LP+CD
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RLP 3205LP
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Double LP version. Includes CD. Their first two albums, Exit (RCD 2138CD/RLP 3138LP, 2013) and Enter (RCD 2158CD/RLP 3158LP, 2014), were presented with sizable and ambitious line-ups of 28 musicians. Ritual (RCD 2182CD/RLP 3182LP, 2016) saw it reduced to 21 and with Arrival it's been trimmed down to a "mere" 14, with the core trio of Fire! (Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling, and Andreas Werliin) and the two singers Mariam Wallentin and Sofia Jernberg being the only constant members since the beginning. Apart from this reduction, the main line-up difference is the introduction of a string quartet. This "cleanup" has worked wonders, keeping the rhythm and horn sections to their bare necessities, with the string quartet expanding the canvas and bringing a new, exciting dimension to the table. And on top of their game; the two powerful and sublime singers, quite different, but still blending perfectly. Drummer and producer Andreas Werliin should also be mentioned for his work in the audio department; rarely has there been such a detailed, warm, deep and dynamic mix from a relatively complex combination of instruments. Arrival is a collection of more individual compositions and songs, including two stunning cover versions. "Blue Crystal Fire" by visionary guitarist Robbie Basho was first heard on his 1978 album Visions of the Country. "At Last I Am Free" was originally written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers of Chic. Although the rest of the tracks are credited to Berthling, Gustafsson, Werliin and Wallentin, it's important to stress that this time the orchestra members have had considerable creative input throughout the process. Arrival is light and shade, joy and despair, structure and improvisation, performed by an ensemble of excellent musicians.
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CD
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RCD 2205CD
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Their first two albums, Exit (RCD 2138CD/RLP 3138LP, 2013) and Enter (RCD 2158CD/RLP 3158LP, 2014), were presented with sizable and ambitious line-ups of 28 musicians. Ritual (RCD 2182CD/RLP 3182LP, 2016) saw it reduced to 21 and with Arrival it's been trimmed down to a "mere" 14, with the core trio of Fire! (Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling, and Andreas Werliin) and the two singers Mariam Wallentin and Sofia Jernberg being the only constant members since the beginning. Apart from this reduction, the main line-up difference is the introduction of a string quartet. This "cleanup" has worked wonders, keeping the rhythm and horn sections to their bare necessities, with the string quartet expanding the canvas and bringing a new, exciting dimension to the table. And on top of their game; the two powerful and sublime singers, quite different, but still blending perfectly. Drummer and producer Andreas Werliin should also be mentioned for his work in the audio department; rarely has there been such a detailed, warm, deep and dynamic mix from a relatively complex combination of instruments. Arrival is a collection of more individual compositions and songs, including two stunning cover versions. "Blue Crystal Fire" by visionary guitarist Robbie Basho was first heard on his 1978 album Visions of the Country. "At Last I Am Free" was originally written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers of Chic. Although the rest of the tracks are credited to Berthling, Gustafsson, Werliin and Wallentin, it's important to stress that this time the orchestra members have had considerable creative input throughout the process. Arrival is light and shade, joy and despair, structure and improvisation, performed by an ensemble of excellent musicians.
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LP
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MPLP 303LP
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LP version. 2019 marks 30 years since Motorpsycho's humble beginnings in Trondheim. Both visually and musically, The Crucible starts where The Tower (2017) ended, but it soon takes on its own hue, and it is clear that it cannot be called a "sequel" as such: this is very much a step further out than anywhere the band ventured on The Tower. While it is broader lyrically speaking, it is even sharper focused musically and, if possible, even more idiosyncratic and insular than ever: unarguably a Motorpsycho album. There aren't many traditional song structures or pop format platitudes on display, and there is indeed hardly any respect paid to any trad rock song conventions on the whole album, but that's not really what one listens to Motorpsycho for anyway, is it? From the most Neanderthal of rock riffs to the most rhythmically oblique polytonal solo sections they've ever recorded, this album musically seems to sum up the extremes of the band's current interests and concerns. The Crucible was recorded at Monnow Valley Studios in Wales in August 2018 by Hans Magnus Ryan (guitars, vocals), Bent Sæther (bass, vocals, sundry), and Tomas Järmyr (drums), with co-producers Andrew Scheps and Deathprod. Scheps mixed the band's last two live recordings -- A Boxful of Demons and Roadwork Vol. 5 (MPLP 302LP) -- and in that process, made himself a logical choice to record the next studio album.
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CD
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MPCD 103CD
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2019 marks 30 years since Motorpsycho's humble beginnings in Trondheim. Both visually and musically, The Crucible starts where The Tower (2017) ended, but it soon takes on its own hue, and it is clear that it cannot be called a "sequel" as such: this is very much a step further out than anywhere the band ventured on The Tower. While it is broader lyrically speaking, it is even sharper focused musically and, if possible, even more idiosyncratic and insular than ever: unarguably a Motorpsycho album. There aren't many traditional song structures or pop format platitudes on display, and there is indeed hardly any respect paid to any trad rock song conventions on the whole album, but that's not really what one listens to Motorpsycho for anyway, is it? From the most Neanderthal of rock riffs to the most rhythmically oblique polytonal solo sections they've ever recorded, this album musically seems to sum up the extremes of the band's current interests and concerns. The Crucible was recorded at Monnow Valley Studios in Wales in August 2018 by Hans Magnus Ryan (guitars, vocals), Bent Sæther (bass, vocals, sundry), and Tomas Järmyr (drums), with co-producers Andrew Scheps and Deathprod. Scheps mixed the band's last two live recordings -- A Boxful of Demons and Roadwork Vol. 5 (MPLP 302LP) -- and in that process, made himself a logical choice to record the next studio album.
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