Category Archives: Blog

Trond Kallevåg’s new album, Amerikabåten, out this Friday

07 November 2023

There’s a new album on the way from acclaimed guitarist and composer Trond Kallevåg, a stalwart of the Norwegian jazz scene. Entitled Amerikabåten, which means The American Boat, the upcoming album is informed and explores the journeys of many of Norwegians who crossed the ocean. Trond comments:

“Amerikabåten” explores my deep admiration and fascination for American culture and the transformative journey aboard the America boats, back when countless Norwegians traversed the ocean to America until the mid-20th century. It was a time when the sea provided a liberating sanctuary for individualists and those who didn’t conform, including the newly religious and lawless.

My grandparents shared stories of close relatives who ventured to America, resulting in cultural connections, particularly along the Norwegian coastline where I grew up.”

Amerikabåten taps on both traditional Norwegian and American music, drawing from Norwegian hymns, old broadside ballads and Americana, and saw Trond enlist a phenomenal ensemble of young Norwegian musicians, including Selma French, Daniela Reyes, Håkon Aase, Jo Berger Myhre, and Ola Øverby.

The album arrives on November 10th through Hubro and for a captivating taster of what’s on offer, check out lead single ‘Fargo’ below, it will take you on an contemplative and gorgeous journey of sound and emotion. The single comes with a live video recorded at Athletic Sound in Halden earlier this year.

Night Dreamer announces new Direct-To-Disc album from Isaiah Collier

01 November 2023

Photo: Londonmancer

Last week Night Dreamer announced a new instalment from their Direct-To-Disc session series and it’s quite the sublime one coming from the hands of Chicago-based innovator, multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator Isaiah Collier. Entitled Parallel Universe, the album features a stellar cast of contributors, including gospel soul singer Jimetta Rose, AACM and former Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpet player Corey Wilkes, guitarist Michael Damani and regular collaborators Julian Davis Reid, James Russell Sims and Micah Collier.

“Recording direct-to-disc gave me a really fortunate opportunity to experience what our musical predecessors almost a hundred years ago were dealing with,” Collier commented about the album its live process.

Parallel Universe arrives on November 24th and ahead of it Collier has shared the brilliant and joyous first single ‘Retreat’. Take a listen now.

Manu Delago to release new album, Snow From Yesterday, in February

27 October 2023

Photo: reithofer media

We’re already looking at releases slated for 2024 with bated breath and with good reason, as Manu Delago has announced the release of a new album. Entitled Snow From Yesterday, the record saw the staggeringly talented Austrian percussionist and composer join forces with with vocal ensemble Mad About Lemon, the trio of Tyrolean singers Heidi Erler, Mimi Schmid and Anna Widauer. On the upcoming album, Delago continues to explore key current issues he’s spent much of his career addressing, particularly climate change. Snow From Yesterday is “about journeys and the stages of life that may change you, but also links you to others, in other times and other places”, as the press release describes. “It can at once tackle mammoth climate issues, while conveying moments of incredible intimacy.”

We’ll have to wait until February 2nd for the album to be out through One Little Independent Records, but Delago is already enticing us with the first single and album opener ‘Modern People’, a track reflecting on the technology we have today and considering its relevance in 100 years’ time. The single comes with an accompanying video and you can watch it below.

Louis Carnell unveils third collaborative piece, ‘three’, featuring Ben Vince

19 October 2023

Experimental composer and producer Louis Carnell has been rolling out collaborative works with artists from across the globe as part of 111, his ongoing curated series. Following the enigmatic and dark collaborative piece, ‘two‘, with musician, composer, visual artist, writer and producer Lee Ranaldo, and the first piece, ‘one‘, with English actress, composer and musician Keeley Forsyth, Carnell shared this week ‘three’, a wondrous piece created with experimental saxophonist and composer Ben Vince. Alongside the new piece, Carnell has also unveiled an accompanying visual work by himself and Arcin Sagdic. Here it is.

Penguin Cafe share orchestral version of Penguin Cafe Orchestra’s ‘Perpetuum Mobile’

17 October 2023

Following the release of their sublime album, Rain Before Seven…, Penguin Cafe have just dropped a new treat for us, in the shape of a single. Marking Penguin Cafe’s first-ever recording of Penguin Cafe Orchestra classic ‘Perpetuum Mobile’, the new single is a majestic orchestral rendition arranged by legendary British conductor and musical director Guy Protheroe and performed with The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Arthur Jeffes comments:

“This is one of my father’s most iconic pieces and it was a real joy to take it over to Prague and record with the Prague Philharmonic – doing it with a huge orchestra was something I’d always wanted to do. It gives it an even more cinematic feel and while it could never replace the original we’re overjoyed with how it came out!”

Listen to ‘Perpetuum Mobile (ft. The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)’ below.

Cloud Management offer glimpse into upcoming record, »V.A.«, with new double single

14 October 2023

Photo: Natalia Sidor

Cloud Management announced last month the release of their second album, »V.A.«, and shared then a double single, the groovy and entrancing ‘PST’ featuring Aaron Coyes, as well as a version of it by Seekers International.  As we get closer to release day on November 10th through Altin Village & Mine, the Hamburg trio of Thomas Korf, Sebastian Kokus and Ulf Schütte are teasing »V.A.« again with a second hypnotic and fascinating double single, ‘Electric CD’, and a rework version by Kenyan multi-disciplinary artist Coco Em. Press play below, you’ll find yourself listening to both cuts over and over again.