Bugge Wesseltoft - IM

Bugge Wesseltoft: Piano virtuoso, flag-bearer of "the new conception of jazz", centrepoint of Jazzland Records.

Bugge Wesseltoft: Who dares to take lovers of music, not scenes - to places unknown ... returns to ourspace with his long-awaited, self-dubbed "real solo album".

And what a joy it is to have Bugge back! Focused. Contemplative, and alone (almost).

Back to the "playing", the direct input emotion - with Bugge the composer and performer taking the studio centre stage.

Here on "IM" Bugge has the courage to let the Jazzland trick-nology take a temporary sabbatical - allowing the recordings to asborb the all the richness of his sound, melody and the depth. Yes, for Bugge Wesseltoft in 2007, 88 notes is all it takes - a black and white piano horizon where all the true Jazzland colours are there for the listener.

But this is not stictly acoustic pianoforte, no. In genuine Jazzland zeitgeist Bugge sequences subtle sound design, field-recordings, shocking news reports from around our f***ed up world, hand-played organic percussion grooves, and with Sami World music legend Mari Boine also providing a soulful "´jazzland-meets-blue-joik" guest appearance.

"IM" is perhaps Bugge Wesseltoft's most intimate and meditative release to date, and yet at same time, it is his most fearless. Bugge´s music and Jazzland output has always confronted musical boundaries, expectations and transient definition.

And the result ... well, once again, lovers of music worldwide get delivered "the latest conception of jazz" from the master himself. A wonderful "real solo album" indeed. Let yourself go. "IM".

Casbah 73 - Pushin' Forty

Convention kills creativity. Casbah 73’s second album shows that he fully understands this creed, combining his strong sense of musical roots with a healthy eclecticism. A soulfully fresh blend of jazz, disco, latin and electric soul, highlighted by a punky irreverence for styles and genres, "Pushin’ Forty" is also a great leap forward for the artist. Conceived in the studio, the results are nevertheless a totally natural mix of instruments and samples, combining his musical talents and technical skills with the welcome new addition of vocals, including several contributions by Casbah himself. Surprisingly organic, extremely danceable, this is a rewarding collection of songs the listener can identify with, not a grab-bag of random studio knob-twiddles.
Opening number "Freshly Squeezed!" kicks things off in style, with a hip-popping groove which won’t quit, featuring none other than Majka Edjo of Sweet Vandals fame laying down some liberated funk as only she can. And while we‘re talking party (we are!) "El Trafico Jam" is a slice of funky afro-disco hotness already slaying dancefloors everywhere with that instantly recognisable car horn sax riff.
Elsewhere, on "Welcome To The Casbah" we have underground NY rap legend Prince Po (who formed rap´s legendary Organized Konfusion with Pharoah Monche), spitting out some fresh & fiery rhymes in an uptempo style unlike anything he‘s done before. Up and coming New York singer Mariella Gonzalez shows she is a name to watch out for. Providing the vocals for “Vinyl Junkie”, she combines sassy soul with a raw funky delivery, even rapping at one point on the joys and pitfalls of a life spent digging in the crates.
Big bad basslines and funky beats, deep rhythmic journeys, trippy soul grooves or breezy skipping jazz vibes, it‘s all here. "Pushin’ Forty" is a reflection of Casbah 73‘s extensive musical background, a journey which is clearly gaining momentum. So it’s three cheers for those who celebrate life through music, "Pushin’ Forty" - because life’s too short for microgenres!