Norwegian Jazz trio, BUSHMAN’S REVENGE, whose music mixes the energy of Rock with the freedom of Jazz in a way that is exciting and exhilarating, have inked a deal with Is it Jazz? Records for the release of their eleventh full-length album.
Formed in 2003, BUSHMAN’S REVENGE’s lineup of Even Helte Hermansen on Guitar, Rune Nergaard on Bass, and Gard Nilssen on Drums, have had two decades in which to explore different paths and sounds, and, in doing so, they have succeeded in creating a genre all of their own.
With 10 critically acclaimed albums under their belts, and over 300 live appearances throughout the world, BUSHMAN’S REVENGE have earned a fearsome reputation, with Jazzwise commenting that they are “Insanely good! As if Jeff Beck was backed by Elvin Jones“, whilst David Fricke of Rolling Stone said that they were “Like a Marshall amp version of John Coltrane’s “Interstellar Space“
In addition to the new album, this year also marks their 20th anniversary as a band, and having been described as one of the most exciting live bands out there, well known for their explosive energy and telepathic interplay, fans can expect a lot of celebrating on the part of BUSHMAN’S REVENGE in the coming months!
BUSHMAN’S REVENGE’s new album will be titled “All The Better For Seeing You”, and full details regarding its release will be revealed shortly.
SOLSTEIN came into being after multi-instrumentalist Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL, DONNER) and drummer Keith Carlock (STEELY DAN, TOTO, JOHN LEGEND, STING) had collaborated with legendary guitarist Georg Wadenius on a track for Holm-Lupo’s DONNER project. The collaboration between the duo worked so well that they decided to come together again on a whole album.
Joining Carlock and Holm-Lupo are up-and-coming guitarist Stian Larsen and keyboardists Brynjar Dambo (WHITE WILLOW) and Bill Bressler, and together they form a project that is inspired by jazz-rock, funk, prog rock and chill-out. The sound they produce is an instrumental form of rock, where jazz harmony combines with proggy arrangements and soul/funk grooves. The end result is laid back and elegant, oscillating between funky fusion and rock.
Given some of the member’s prog backgrounds, there are also echoes of the jazzier side of prog, but, more than anything, SOLSTEIN is a playground for the musicians, where everyone was given free reins to do whatever they felt the music needed. If it put a smile on everyone’s face, it was deemed right.
The result is a self-titled album that is accessible yet adventurous, colourful, groovy and engaging. It melds the groovier side of fusion with elements of prog and funk, but which, rather than having the standard 2020s fusion sound, tends more towards the funkier, more melodic spectrum that brings artists like THE CRUSADERS, IDRIS MUHAMMED, early BOB JAMES and 70s HERBIE HANCOCK to mind.
“Solstein” was mixed and given pristine analogue mastering at Holm-Lupo’s Dude Ranch Studio, and with artwork by Martina Wilek, track listing is as follows:
Intersection
Oriental Folk Song
Southwester
The Night Owl
Siriusly
February 9th
The Creeper
Hamada
“Solstein” will be released on Is it Jazz? Records on the 7th July in CD, Digital and LPC formats and is now available to pre-order from:
The name SOLSTEIN means Sunstone, and it refers to a relatively rare rock containing copper-red crystals, which, when seen from different angles refracts the light in a very beautiful way. The most significant deposits of the rock are found along the southern coast of Norway where Holm-Lupo lives and runs his studio.
Another new band that is packed to the brim with experienced musicians from the Norwegian music scene has found its way onto Is It Jazz? Records, the Bergen-based offshoot of Karisma Records that is developing a reputation for nurturing some of the latest and best arrivals on the Jazz scene, as well as attracting some very well-established artists.
The band in question is THE VERGE, a four-piece unit that started life whilst its members were studying at the Jazz Academy in Trondheim.
Comprised of Emil Storløkken Åse (PHOENIX, EMIL STORLØKKEN ÅSE SOLO) on Guitars , Aksel Rønning (COSMIC SWING ORCHESTRA, AKSEL RØNNING TRIO) on Saxophone and Flute, Alf Høines (CARAMEL 11, LEON RØSTEN TRIO)on Electric Bass, and Ingvald Vassbø (KANAAN, JUNO) on Drums, THE VERGE’s lineup is very definitely not short of creativity and enthusiasm.
Together they have created an intense and energetic debut album that draws its inspiration from extreme improvisational rock and dreamy noise/dronescapes, and offers more than a nod in the direction of free form jazz. It is an album that promises to be vibrant and multifaceted, one where the ability of the individual musicians to interact with one another is front and centre.
More information about the album, including release dates, will be revealed shortly, and in the meantime Ingvald expressed THE VERGE’s delight at joining Is It Jazz? Records.
Myself, Emil, Alf and Akse are really looking forward to releasing our debut album on Is It Jazz? Records. I´ve been a long time fan of Karisma Records and it´s an honour and a privilege to be on the same label as so many other great artists that we admire and draw inspiration from.
Karisma Records is set to release “Flying Colours”, the next album in its planned series of six full-length releases that makes up the entire back-catalogue of Norwegian Prog Legends RUPHUS.
Originally released in 1978, “Flying Colours” is unusual for RUPHUS, a band used to an ever-shifting lineup, in that it featured the same musicians as on its predecessor “Inner Voice”, namely Kjell Larsen on guitar, Asle Nilsen on bass), Sylvi Lillegaard on vocals, Thor Bendiksen and drums and Jan Simonsen on keyboards.
By the time “Flying Colours” hit the streets for the first time, RUPHUS had been settled in Germany for such a long time, extensively touring Continental Europe, to the extent that even Norwegian fans assumed the band was German. It is, nevertheless, a prime example of Proggy Norwegian 70’s Jazz Rock, firmly cementing the band’s reputation as one of the leading lights of the European Jazz Rock Scene.
Recorded at the Rosenborg Studios in Oslo and engineered by Hans Petter Danielsen, the new release of “Flying Colours has once again be been remastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel, etc) who is working with new digital transfers from the original master tapes which are stored in the Norwegian National Archives for posterity.
With artwork by Jan Ole Norum tracklisting for “Flying Colours is as follows:
Foodlover’s Diet
Frysja
Early Riser
Flying Colours
The Rivulet
Joy
Moody Moments
Part One: The Moment
Part Two: Gloom
Part Three: Exaltation
“Flying Colours” will be released in CD, LP and Limited Edition Purple Vinyl (250 copies only) on the 7th August, and is now available to pre-order from:
As a bonus to fans of Norwegian Prog in general, and RUPHUS in particular, Karisma Records will revisit the band’s debut album “New Born Day”, which it re-released in March of this year, by making available a limited edition white vinyl version. It is an album widely regarded as one of the best albums to have emerged from the Norwegian Prog scene, so this version will come as a pleasant addition to any fans collection.
“New Born Day”, which will also be released on the 7th August, is now available to pre-order from:
A versatile and ground-breaking band, RUPHUS, with their long, melodic, compositions, and multiple, intertwined themes, were regarded as being the Norwegian equivalent of YES, not just in style, but also in skill. The band’s revolving door policy as regards their lineup meant that, as members left and others joined, RUPHUS’ sound changed accordingly, taking them from their early days playing hard progressive rock, to becoming one of the leaders in the field of jazz rock. Only Kjell Larsen (guitar) and Asle Nilsen (bass, flute) would go on to play on all of RUPHUS’ albums.
RUPHUS’ fourth full-length album “Inner Voice” hits the streets today on Karisma records in what is the label’s mission to release all six albums from the legendary Prog Rockers. The album joins the previously released “New Born Day”, “Ranshart” and “Let Your Light Shine”, leaving a further two, “Flying Colours” and “Manmade”, whose release later this year will complete this exceptional set.
Once again produced by the legendary Terje Rypdal , “Inner Voice” saw the arrival of new members Sylvi Lillegaard on vocals and Jan Simonsen on keyboards, whose presence introduced fresh blood and musical influences to RUPHUS who had, by now, relocated to Germany following the massive success of the band’s previous release “Let Your Light Shine”.
As with all the re-releases in the series, “Inner Voice” has been mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel, etc) and offers the fans a prime example of the Norwegian Proggy Jazz Rock genre of the ’70’s. It is the album that firmly cemented the band’s reputation as one of the leading lights on the European Jazz Rock Scene.
With cover design by Jan Ole Norum and cover photo by Kim Hart, track listing for “Inner Voice” is as follows:
Inner Voice
Come Into View
No Deal
Too Late
Within The Walls
Left Behind
“Inner Voice” is available in CD, black vinyl and a 250 copy limited edition in transparent blue vinyl from all the usual retailers or directly from https://www.karismarecords.no/artists/ruphus/
A versatile and ground-breaking band, RUPHUS, with their long, melodic, compositions, and multiple, intertwined themes, were regarded as being the Norwegian equivalent of YES, not just in style, but also in skill. The band’s revolving door policy as regards their lineup meant that, as members left and others joined, RUPHUS’ sound changed accordingly, taking them from their early days playing hard progressive rock, to becoming one of the leaders in the field of jazz rock. Only Kjell Larsen (guitar) and Asle Nilsen (bass, flute) would go on to play on all of RUPHUS’ albums.
Just over a year ago, Karisma Records announced that they would be releasing the entire six-album back catalogue of ’70’s Norwegian Prog legends RUPHUS. And now, with the band’s first three albums “New Born Day”, “Ranshart” and, “Let Your Light Shine” already released, the time has come for the fourth album, “Inner Voice” to be released.
By the time “Inner Voice” was released in 1977, and spurred on the by the massive success its predecessor, “Let Your Light Shine”, had found there, RUPHUS had relocated to Germany, where they stayed for some time, touring extensively around Europe, and releasing a further two albums (Flying Colours” and “Manmade”), which will also be available from Karisma Records in the coming months.
“Inner Voice”, was once again produced by the legendary Terje Rypdal, and, with new members Sylvi Lillegaard (vocals) and Jan Simonsen (keyboards), bringing with them fresh blood and musical influences, the album was a prime example of the Norwegian Proggy Jazz Rock genre of the ’70’s, and cemented the band’s reputation as one of the leading lights on the European Jazz Rock Scene.
As with all the re-releases in the series, “Inner Voice” has been mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel, etc), and with cover design by Jan Ole Norum and cover photo by Kim Hart, track listing for “Inner Voice” is as follows:
Inner Voice
Come Into View
No Deal
Too Late
Within The Walls
Left Behind
“Inner Voice” will be released on the 22nd May and will be available in CD, black vinyl and a 250 copy limited edition in transparent blue vinyl. It is now available to pre-order from https://www.karismarecords.no/artists/ruphus/
A versatile and ground-breaking band, RUPHUS, with their long, melodic, compositions, and multiple, intertwined themes, were regarded as being the Norwegian equivalent of YES, not just in style, but also in skill. The band’s revolving door policy as regards their lineup meant that, as members left and others joined, RUPHUS’ sound changed accordingly, taking them from their early days playing hard progressive rock, to becoming one of the leaders in the field of jazz rock. Only Kjell Larsen (guitar) and Asle Nilsen (bass, flute) would go on to play on all of RUPHUS’ albums.
On the 6th December, when “Let Your Light Shine” hits the streets, Karisma Records will have hit the half way mark in their mission to release the entire back catalogue of Norwegian Prog Legends RUPHUS.
The third of what will be a total of six releases by Karisma, “Let Your Light Shine” is the album that marked a new direction for RUPHUS. A direction driven by keyboard player Håkon Graf’s stint with a jazz ensemble called MOOSE LOOSE, from which Graf emerged with new inspiration. Armed with a selection of refined jazz compositions, the newly re-formed RUPHUS entered the studio with legendary producer Terje Rypdal and embarked on their first foray into Jazz Rock territory, which also paved the way for the band’s entry into the bigger, European market.
Originally released on the German label Brain in 1976, and creating a stir in Europe “Let Your Light Shine’s” overwhelmingly positive reception led to a tour that saw RUPHUS playing in front of enthusiastic crowds in sold out venues.
As with all the RUPHUS back catalogue releases, “Let Your Light Shine” has been has been re-mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel, etc) using digital transfers from the original master tapes that are stored in the Norwegian National Archives for posterity.
Tracklisting for “Let Your Light Shine” is as follows:
Sha Ba Wah
Nordlys
Corner
Second Corner
Let Your Light Shine
Grasse
Brain Boogie
With cover photos by Øystein B. Ahlsen and Layout byJan Ole Norum, “Let Your Light Shine” will be available in CD, LP and Limited Edition Transparent Lime Vinyl, and is now available to pre-order from:
A versatile and ground-breaking band, RUPHUS, with their long, melodic, compositions and multiple, intertwined themes, were regarded as being the Norwegian equivalent of YES, not just in style, but also in skill. The band’s revolving door policy as regards their lineup meant that as members left and others joined, RUPHUS’ sound changed accordingly, taking them from their start playing hard progressive rock, to becoming one of the leaders in the field of jazz rock. Only Kjell Larsen (guitar) and Asle Nilsen (bass, flute) would go on to play on all of RUPHUS’ albums.
Having announced that they will release the entire back catalogue of the ’70’s Norwegian Prog legends RUPHUS, and hot on the heels of the release of the first album “New Born Day”, Karisma Records are ready to reveal the details of “Ranshart”, the second of what will be a total of six releases.
A versatile and ground-breaking band, RUPHUS, with their long, melodic, compositions and multiple, intertwined themes, were regarded as being the Norwegian equivalent of YES, not just in style, but also in skill.
Starting out playing hard progressive rock, RUPHUS adopted a revolving door policy as regards their lineup, and as members left and others joined, the sound changed accordingly, sending RUPHUS in a direction that would eventually make them leaders in the field of Jazz Rock. Only Kjell Larsen (guitar) and Asle Nilsen (bass, flute) would go on to play on all of RUPHUS’ albums.
By the time RUPHUS’ sophomore album “Ranshart” was released in 1974, the original seven-man lineup had become five. with three of the seven original members having left the band, including the two vocalists, who were replaced by Rune Østdahl.
As with all the re-issues in the series, “Ranshart”, which was originally recorded at the Roger Arnhoff studios in October 1974, has been re-mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel, etc) using digital transfers from the original master tapes which are stored in the Norwegian National Archives for posterity.
With original artwork by Kathinka Rasch Andersen “Ranshart” will be available in CD, LP and limited Edition LP on yellow vinyl. Tracklisting is as follows:
Karisma Records are set to release the entire six-album back catalogue of the ’70’s Norwegian Prog legends RUPHUS. All the albums will be re-mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo, who is working with new digital transfers from the original master tapes which are stored in the Norwegian National Archives for posterity.
The first release, which is set to hit the streets on the 8th March, will be band’s debut album “New Born Day”, to be followed later by “Ranshart”, “Let Your Light Shine”, “Inner Voice”, “Flying Colours” and “Manmade”.
Throughout their first incarnation, which lasted from 1970 to 1981, RUPHUS developed from playing hard, progressive rock, to becoming one of the leaders in the jazz rock genre, whilst fielding a lineup that contained more members than a football team.
Originally released in 1973, “New Born Day” is widely regarded as one of the best albums to have emerged from the Norwegian Prog scene. Conceived in a house in Meråker (near Trondheim) during the summer of 1973, the band spent a month locked away working on their creation before entering the studio with producer Stein Robert Ludvigsen.
The lineup on “New Born Days” featured seven members, of whom only Kjell Larsen (guitar) and Asle Nilsen (bass, flute) would go on to play on all of RUPHUS’ albums between then and 1981. Whilst the band nodded in the direction of the likes of KING CRIMSON, JETHRO TULL, YES and SAVAGE ROSE, RUPHUS had a clear advantage when it came to stamping their own identity on their music by being fronted by not one, but two vocalists, with one of the female Prog pioneers Gudny Aspaas combining her exceptionally powerful vocals with those of Rune Sundby.
“New Born Day” is clearly a product of its time, and so it should be, representing, as it does, a period of rock history in which musicians performed their music together, in the same room, all at the same time. However, fans who are discovering RUPHUS for the first time cannot fail to notice how Ludvigsen succeeded in producing an album that sounds fresh even today.
With artwork by Anders Kaardahl, “New Born Day” will be available in CD and digital formats as well as in heavyweight vinyl formats in regular black and limited edition blue vinyl. Tracklisting for “New Born Day” is as follows:
On the 8th March, RUPHUS will play a a special ‘re-release concert’ at Oslo’s Parkteateret to celebrate the reappearance of “New Born Day”. Details of the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/504811426674712/
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 