Posts Tagged ‘Aksel Røed’

IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS REVEAL SECOND SINGLE  FROM UPCOMING AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS ALBUM

Posted: February 10, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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“Moonshine Movement” is the second single from “Do You Dream in Colours”,  the upcoming album from  AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS,  and, according to Røed himself the track is a “groovy alibi for the album itself”, as he explains:

The tune consists of a single bass line and a simple drum groove. Sigurd exerts a steadying influence, but makes sure to stir things around and shake things up.  Barnes rips straight into a solo with a mind-bending alto horn, whilst the rest of the wind section tightly underscore the solo before an arranged B-section comes in and sets the band up for yet another solo round.  This time it’s  both Lauritz and Aksel who step to the fore, and again…the B-section follows before the trumpets howl their way towards a drum solo finale.

The tune is meant to be long and static, inspired by the calmness of the Johan Lindstrøm Septett, and the roughness of Angles 9.  With Sverre insisting on keeping the bass line heavy and clear for 8 minutes straight, you just can’t miss it. Hopefully you will enjoy the spaceflight upon which the soloists embark.

Very little arrangement has been done for this tune, it’s a vehicle for full-blown soloing on top of a somewhat “naive” groove. The piece stays very much the same (at least what’s written) until 6 minutes in, then we get a different melodical space for Sigurd to blast some drums until we tie it up for the last blast from the horn section. It feels like it’s never going to end, and you will wish it wouldn’t.

“Moonshine Movement” can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at

https://link.isitjazzrecords.no/Aksel-Roeds-Other-Aspects_Moonshine-Movement

“Do You Dream in Colours” will itself be released on Is it Jazz? Records on the 17th February in CD, LP, and Digital formats. Recorded at the Duper Studios in Bergen,  and with cover photo by William Østensen and cover design by Tom Korsvold, tracklisting is as follows:

1. Goiserer Jodler / To Whom This May Concern
2. I Usually Paint by Myself
3. Bergen is the Prettiest in Blue
4. Moonshine Movement
5. When You Dream in Colours

Pre-orders for “Do You Dream in Colours” are now available at

Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/shop/
Bandcamp: https://akselroedsotheraspects.bandcamp.com

Whilst studying at the Grieg Academy, Aksel Røed’s original intention on forming OTHER ASPECTS back in 2019 was simply to write music for one of his academic projects.  But,  given that he had, in fact,  created an octet that included in its ranks not only some the finest young Norwegian musicians, but also others with a renowned track record, proved to be too much of a temptation for the much sought-after Jazz saxophonist and it quickly became the main focus of Røed’s attention.

OTHER ASPECTS is the largest project, in terms of band members,  that Røed (GENERAL POST OFFICE, DAG ARNESEN) has been involved with. Aside from Røed himself,  the lineup of OTHER ASPECTS, includes his brother Lyder Øvreås Røed on trumpet and flugelhorn,  Andreas Hesselberg Hatzikiriakidis on second trumpet, Sigurd Steinkopf on drums, Sverre Sæbø on bass,  and Isach Skeidsvoll on piano. Aside from Røed himself on tenor sax, the saxophone section is made up of Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll (BEAR BROTHER, MASTER OOGWAY) on soprano and tenor, and Michael Barnes (BERGEN BIGBAND) on baritone sax and bass clarinet.  Barnes, who Røed describes as an “Aussie who writes the best scores for large ensembles in Bergen”, also happens to be Røed’s long time mentor and friend.  

Musically Røed finds insipiration in the old saxophone recordings of Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler and Pharoah Sanders, and in the composition styles of Django Bates and Charlie Hadens Liberation Orchestra, but OTHER ASPECTS bears Røed’s hallmarks, with music that constantly drifts into different and surprising directions.  As he recently explained:

The music is composed but not set, meaning its perfectly acceptable,  and even encouraged, to think and play outside the box. Most of the magic within the band lies in the free improvisation. 


The next live appearance of AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS  will be on the 22nd of February, when the band will celebrate the release of the album with a show at the at Bergen Kjøtt.

Details about the show can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/515411937343038?ref=newsfeed

More information about AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082226721671

Additional Information
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082226721671
Band Contact:  akseltr@hotmail.com
Is it Jazz? Records
Website:  https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact:  post@isitjazzrecords.no

IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS REVEAL DETAILS OF ALBUM AND NEW SINGLE FROM AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS  

Posted: January 13, 2023 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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When Aksel Røed (GENERAL POST OFFICE, DAG ARNESEN),  first formed OTHER ASPECTS in 2019, his intention was to write music for a school project at the Grieg Academy, but, having created an octet that had in its ranks not only some the finest young Norwegian musicians, but also others with a proven track record, the much sought-after Jazz saxophonist found himself unable to put it to one side.

In fact, OTHER ASPECTS became the focus of Røed’s attention to such an extent that in 2020 the band entered the Duper Studios in Bergen and recorded their debut album.  Titled “Do You Dream in Colours”,  and due out on Is it Jazz? Records on the 17th February, curious listeners can today get a taste of what to expect with the release of the track “I Usually Paint By Myself”, which  can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of sources at:

https://fanlink.to/Aksel-Roeds-Other-Aspects_I-Usually-Paint-By-Myself

Røed gave us an insight into the track itself, and how it was created:

“I Usually Paint By Myself”, is a bluesy piano trio ballad inspired by the old free jazz aesthetic  where easy melodies are intertwined without free parts, leading to a grand finale at the end. The tune starts with the horn section playing a rubato line followed by an easy and “kind to the ear” melody played by Lauritz and Lyder. Isach comes in after the melody and plays a solo in a typical jazz form. But he is allowed to tear up every rule we’ve established by doing whatever the music calls for. The accompaniment simply has to follow along since there is no written chord scheme. I trusted the guys. As Miles Davis said, “the composition is the band”. 

The only criteria is that the solo part should be sort of bluesy. We tie it all together when the backing from the horns comes in at a little before 4 minutes. Then the gospel harmony is soulfully introduced by the piano whilst  the horns are blowing their hearts out. The whole ends on a fiery and heavy tonic. As the title implies, I sometimes sit alone and paint (whatever it might be, sounds or pictures), but not always, and then it’s good to have seven of your mates backing you while you paint for dear life. 

The lineup of OTHER ASPECTS, which is the largest that Røed has been involved with so far, includes his brother Lyder Øvreås Røed on trumpet and flugelhorn,  Andreas Hesselberg Hatzikiriakidis on second trumpet, Sigurd Steinkopf on drums, Sverre Sæbø on bass,  and Isach Skeidsvoll on piano. Aside from Røed himself on tenor sax, the saxophone section is made up of Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll (BEAR BROTHER, MASTER OOGWAY) on soprano and tenor, and Michael Barnes (BERGEN BIGBAND) on baritone sax and bass clarinet.  Barnes, who Røed describes as an “Aussie who writes the best scores for large ensembles in Bergen”, also happens to be Røed’s long time mentor and friend.  

Musically Røed finds insipiration in the old saxophone recordings of Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler and Pharoah Sanders, and in the composition styles of Django Bates and Charlie Hadens Liberation Orchestra, but OTHER ASPECTS bears Røed’s hallmarks, with music that constantly drifts into different and surprising directions.  As he explains:

The music is composed but not set, meaning its perfectly acceptable,  and even encouraged, to think and play outside the box. Most of the magic within the band lies in the free improvisation. 


With cover photo by William Østensen and cover design by Tom Korsvold “Do You Dream in Colours” will be available in CD, LP, and Digital formats and tracklisting is as follows:

1. Goiserer Jodler / To Whom This May Concerne
2. I Usually Paint by Myself
3. Bergen is the Prettiest in Blue
4. Moonshine Movement
5. When You Dream in Colours

“Do You Dream in Colours” is now available to pre-order from

Webshop: https://isitjazzrecords.no/shop/
Bandcamp: https://akselroedsotheraspects.bandcamp.com

More information about AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082226721671

Additional Information
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082226721671
Band Contact:  akseltr@hotmail.com
Is it Jazz? Records
Website:  https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact:  post@isitjazzrecords.no

AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS SIGNS WITH IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS

Posted: June 23, 2022 in IS IT JAZZ? RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Is it Jazz? Records seems to be getting its pick from the talented alumni of Norway’s prestigious Grieg Academy, as signalled by the label’s latest signing, AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS,  the new project from Jazz saxophonist  Aksel Røed.

Putting together an octet, which is what AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS is, in order to bring his musical vision to fruition, is no mean feat, but that is what Røed has successfully achieved.  Having attracted some of the finest young Norwegian musicians, as well as those with a proven track record,  to the ranks of AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS, the band will now become the focus of Røed’s attention.  As he explains:

OTHER ASPECTS started out in 2019 as an ambitious project for me to write some music for a school project at the Grieg Academy.  But, having put this octet together, I have not been able to put it aside and it is now my main focus in music.

The ensemble is my biggest to date with all original music composed for an eight piece band.  Other Aspects’ debut album` “Do you dream in colours?”  was recorded at fashionable Duper Studios in May 2020 in Bergen, and the band, consisting of some of my best friends and finest young musicians in Norway, perfectly executed my visions as composer and leader. 

On trumpet and flugelhorn we have my dear brother, the amazing Lyder Øvreås Røed, and on second trumpet, my good friend and colleague for many years, Andreas Hesselberg Hatzikiriakidis.  The saxophone section consists of Lauritz Lyster Skeidsvoll on soprano and tenor, known from some of my favorite bands such as BEAR BROTHER and MASTER OOGWAY. On baritone sax and bass clarinet is  Michael Barnes, my long time mentor, friend and the musical leader of BERGEN BIGBAND. He is an Aussie who writes the best scores for large ensembles in Bergen.  As for myself, I try to lead the band from the tenor stand. Sigurd Steinkopf keeps the drums going and Sverre Sæbø holds the bas,  and Isach Skeidsvoll gives new meaning to the phrase “playing the piano”.

OTHER ASPECTS allows me to constantly drift into different directions and usually with short notice. The music is composed but not set, meaning its perfectly acceptable,  and even encouraged to think and play outside the box. Most of the magic within the band lies in the free improvisation.  

In terms of inspiration I find it in the old saxophone recordings of Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler and Pharoah Sanders, but also in the composing mind of Django Bates and Charlie Hadens Liberation Orchestra I.e. Despite all of the references, I still think (and hope) that the music undoubtedly sounds like “Aksel Røed”

As to his decision to sign with Is it Jazz? Records, it seems that both label and artist are of the same mind when it comes to their home town of Bergen:

I am very pleased to have signed with Is It Jazz? and their team. I strive to keep Bergen as active and attractive as I can musically, and I have no doubt in my mind that such a professional and local label has my back in doing so.

More information about AKSEL RØED’S OTHER ASPECTS can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082226721671

Additional Information
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082226721671
Band Contact:  akseltr@hotmail.com
Is it Jazz? Records
Website:  https://isitjazzrecords.no/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/IsItJazzRecords/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isitjazzrecords/
Contact:  post@isitjazzrecords.no