Description
Pianist/composer Bugge Wesseltoft continues his exploration of new sonic landscapes on 'Bugge & Friends'. Accompanied by Erik Truffaz, Ilhan Ersahin, Joe Claussell, Beady Belle, and Torun Eriksen, each expedition uncovers new combinations of classic jazz, electronica, funk, Latin and soul.
The ghost of Miles Davis smoking Havana cigars, or Eric Dolphy tuning into Detroit techno, or perhaps Thelonious Monk hang-gliding over Sao Paolo: any number of unlikely descriptions could be conjured to describe the music offered by 'Bugge & Friends', but none would give a true picture of the countless patterns, shades, tones, colours and textures that make up each of the tracks presented.
And while each track has its own climate, its own landscape, the consistency of the musicians and their individual personal signatures appear in each one. Instruments come in pure acoustic and heavily treated forms, as well as electric variants, synthesisers, samples, and loops. The music is made up of intricate weaves and meshes that a listener could spend months trying to untangle: but there's no need to do that - this is joyous music, music for pleasure, improvisation and composition at their most life-affirming. Compulsory listening for fans of any of these superb musical companions.
Bugge Wesseltoft, leader of Bugge 'n Friends, about his latest project: "I'm so proud of being able to present this fantastic line up of Friends and Heroes I have been so fortunate to hear and work with these past 10 years! The Bugge & Friends Project is all about presenting a community of music and international artists, all mixing jazz and electronic music together, with a deep mutual respect and a fascination for each other's worlds."
Personnel: Bugge Wesseltoft (grand piano, Fender Rhodes, Prophet5, Memorymoog, programming), Erik Truffaz (trumpet, effects), Ilhan Ersahin (tenor saxophone), Joaquin "Joe" Claussell (rhythms, miscellaneous percussion and toys, effects, programming), Erik Holm (congas, shakers, logdrum, tambourine, bolumbata), Marius Reksjø (accoustic and electric bass), Andreas Bye (drums), Torun Eriksen, Beady Belle (vocals)
