Browse by Label: RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)

Artist:	NORDHEIM, ARNE
Title:	Electric
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2002CD

Beautifully presented reissue of classic archival electroacoustic works, first released on now very obscure vinyl in 1974. Bright orange fold-out digipak, extensive booklet of notes package some of the most exciting, shimmering and crystalline electronic sounds to be unearthed in quite a while. Important and essential. "Born in 1931 and highly active, Arne Nordheim is considered by most as the greatest living Norwegian composer, his chamber music, orchestral and various other work spanning a 40 year period. He started to get international recognition in 1960 with his orchestral work 'Canzona per Orchestra' and soon after began to explore the use of pre-recorded tape as part of the compositions. His electronic works were recorded in Warszaw between 1967 and 1971, and have strangely enough not been available on record since the 70s. We are extremely proud to be able to present what can be termed the collected electronic works of Arne Nordheim. Furiously dismissed in academic circles in Norway when they first appeared almost 30 years ago, and in a way that have put an effective stop to weaker souls, we believe this music stands up remarkably well today. Compared to some of the more 'famous' electronic composers, Nordheim distinguish's himself by his sheer musicality and sense of structure...Electronic boxes, electric instruments and recorded tape glide in and out as a natural part of the orchestra, in constant pursuit of magical and spellbinding timbres. The orchestral parts reveal how working with mixers and tape splicing have influenced the development of musical ideas in more traditional arrangements."

Artist:	CHOCOLATE OVERDOSE
Title:	Whatever
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2003CD

1998 release. "In “92 and “93 Chocolate Overdose released two very ambitious albums for WEA in Norway. However, the combination of a truly original band, a major label, an expensive producer, media hype and lack of immediate results once again proved to be a dismal one. The 5 years gone have been spent playing with others, producing other artists, writing and recording new songs and getting in a brilliant new guitarist (the old one left to front Libido and is now better known as Magnet). Whatever is mostly recorded live in the studio, almost underproduced and all the better for it. The sound has a rough carelessness to it, but is full of detail, depth and colour, and all in all it“s a real grower."

Artist:	NILSEN, TOVE
Title:	Flash Caravan
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2004CD

Highly exotic debut album from this Norwegian vocalist, with Björk-like tendencies, strange electronic-pop assemblage and plenty of intrigue -- another out-of-nowhere and potentially explosive release from Rune Grammofon. "From the dictaphone surrealism of the opening track to the achingly beautiful 'Breaking The Girl', there's no doubt that we're dealing with a highly original and uncompromising artist not afraid to follow her creative intuition. Heavy electronics, twisted rhythms, triphop, and minimalist lo-fi country is all put together by the young singer/writer in her own musical universe. Several of the songs are built virtually without harmonic structures, quite unusual in most popular genres, and leave special demands on the vocal performances. Many of the songs are improvised in the recording studio, and she's not too fond of structural means like verse and chorus. Her often poetic/surrealist lyrics are quite peculiar, to say the least, and even if the 'rock' genre often is seen as a place for experimentation, it is relatively rare to see language challenged to such a degree as Tove Nilsen is doing here."

Artist:	BIOSPHERE/DEATHPROD
Title:	Nordheim Transformed
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2005CD

A series of remix transformations of original materials by Arne Nordheim, whose archival CD of 60s/70s electronic music was previously issued by Rune Grammofon (RCD 2002) to great acclaim. This CD features a total of 7 tracks which use Nordheim's Electric as source material for new compositions by the Norwegian artists Biosphere (Geir Jenssen, long-acclaimed ambient producer) and Deathprod. The results are 49 minutes worth of ice-laden, sweeping electronic deepness, shimmering background fog, and mesmerizing ambiance and abstraction A fascinating all-Norwegian excursion. "Deep and haunting and acknowledged by Nordheim himself as more than worthy."

Artist:	SUPERSILENT
Title:	4
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2007CD

Explosive, mind-battering second album by Norwegian group. "This quartet has quickly developed into being the most exciting group in what many will call the new wave of young Norwegian jazz. Still in their twenties, they have all been involved in numerous groups and projects, ranging from Terje Rypdal Skywards (Ståle Storlųkken) to rock group Motorpsycho (Helge Sten). Arve Henriksen and Jarle Vespestad are considered two of the most personal instrumentalists in Norway, the former receiving due attention for his playing on Christian Wallumrųd Trios No Birch, released on ECM. Helge Sten (aka Deathprod) is an in demand producer, and recently grabbed a lot of attention for his reworking of Arne Nordheims electronic music. With total improvisation in a 'traditional' band format they stress the importance of realtime interaction, playing together and against each other. Although they can sound very electronic, there“s not a computer or drumloop in sight and they will frequently slip into stretches that are much closer to something like Autechre than what is normally considered as 'jazz'. On 4 they appear more focused and to the point than on their 3 hour debut set and deliver an absolutely stunning album of improvised 'jazz', electronica, power and lyrical beauty." The group consists of: Helge Sten: Audio virus, Ståle Storlųkken: synthesizers, Arve Henriksen: trumpet, electronics, Jarle Vespestad: drums. "While their sound has the added depth of modern recording techniques and digitized, one touch electronica, their improvisations have the ramshackle DIY qualities found in early live electronics projects by pioneers such as Gordon Mumma, Robert Ashley and Musica Elettronica Viva." -- The Wire.

Artist:	FURUHOLMEN/BJERKESTRAND/WADLING
Title:	Hermetic
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2008CD

1998 release. "Since the glorydays of A-ha, Magne Furuholmen has established himself as a respected painter and composer of filmmusic. Kjetil Bjerkestrand is also a famous film composer in Norway, as well as being a composer, arranger and producer for several Norwegian and international artists. The enigmatic Swedish singer Freddie Wadling is best known for his work in groups such as the much acclaimed Flesh Quartet and Blue For Two. Here they team up for the music to the dark and unsettling Norwegian feature film 1732 Hųtten ('Bloody Angels'). Several hours of studio jamming, fractured ideas, sketches and synth experiments in addition to a couple of 'real' songs has been edited down to make Hermetic an album in its own right, rather than being a traditional soundtrack album. In fact, most of the music here is not even in the film, but all through it there is a strong feeling of detachment and things falling apart, just as in the film."

Artist:	CHOCOLATE OVERDOSE
Title:	Dingledoodies
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2009CD

1999 release. "Dingledoodies, their second album for Rune Grammofon, is a much more optimistic record than Whatever and in many ways a far more polished production. It“s a more immediately melodic and catchy record; from the irresistible pop refrains of 'Memories' and the jazzy 'Black Rainbow' to the more enigmatic growers like 'Hint' and 'Satisfactory', from the hard-hitting title track to the lovely ballads 'Lou And Lee' and 'Shining At The Sun'."

Artist:	SPUNK
Title:	Det Eneste Jeg Vet, Er at Det Ikke Er En Stovsuger
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2010CD

"Spunk is a young, all-girl improvquartet with backgrounds from classical, jazz, rock, contemporary and country (!?). The group has been going since 1995 and in spite of their young age, they have built a solid reputation in both jazz and classical circles (three of the members are studying composition). With their unusual line up they are hard to categorize, with soundscapes and musical material from all genres being used in a non-dogmatic and unprejudiced way. The title translates like this: The Only Thing I Know, Is That It Isn't A Vacuum Cleaner. (check your Pippi Longstocking references!)." Kristin Andersen (trumpet), Hild Sofie Tafjord (horn), Maja Solveig Kjeldstrup Ratkje (vocals), Lene Grenager (cello). Another out-of-nowhere, bewildering and idiosyncratic recording from the increasingly faithful Rune Grammofon label.

Artist:	ALOG
Title:	Red Shift Swing
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2011CD

"Highly original and different music from a young Norwegian duo (Espen Sommer Eide & Dag-Are Haugan). Bits of classic minimalism (Reich), postrock, techno, jazz, this and that. Most tracks come from improvisations made with various reed, percussion and string instruments, as well as electronic keyboards and field recordings. The results are then manipulated in different digital and analog ways. Quite brilliant, we haven“t really heard anything like it."

Artist:	VA
Title:	Love Comes Shining Over The Mountains
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2012CD

"78 minutes of the finest contemporary electronics from both wellknown and unknown Norwegian artists and composers. All tracks and versions are exclusive for this compilation. Information (duo signed to Tromsų label Beatservice; their first CD, Artifacts, was last year nominated for a Grammy in Norway. Currently working on a new 99 track CD, the main theme being the importance of chance), Phonophani (Espen Sommer Eide from Alog; this is his first recorded output since his quite brilliant debut for the Biophon label a couple of years ago), Düplo (something as old fashioned as a band; improvised electronics, analogue synths, treatments), A Threatened Logical Unit (according to himself, "skewed" is his final try to bridge elements from the Detroit scene and his own, more abstract electroacoustic universe. Oivind Idsų is his name), Arne Nordheim (taken from an outdoor installation where a collection of randomly selected soundscapes continuously change according to the weather conditions, meaning that this selection is totally unique and will never be repeated in the exact same way), Monolight (first sign of life since the selftitled debut 5 years ago), Deathprod (outtake from the Nordheim Transformed session), Plirk (improvised live recording from art collective type of project, the main man being Morten Skogly), Supersilent (selection from live improvisation set to a screening of the classic silent movie The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari in Oslo last autumn), Furuholmen/Bjerkestrand (from A-ha and composer Ketil Bjerkestrand with slightly different mix from track off hermetic on Rune Grammofon), Alog ('we did a really good recording, you know, high quality, analog-digital-analog, noise and hiss. We have all the warm sound, all the really organic quality of sound: percussion instrument, piano, machinery, little old, but working well. the other: the voice, or wind instruments, field-recordings -- poor technology, clear crystal nature of sound. and so say all of us'), Marhaug/Rishaug (the longtime electronic/noise master behind the Jazzassin label), Biosphere/Deathprod (live recording from their sold out church concert in Oslo last year)." Beautiful digipak cover and the finest in digital soundform. An excellent introduction to the label

Artist:	VALEN, FARTEIN
Title:	The Eternal
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2013CD

Reissue of orchestral works by this mythical Norwegian-born composer, Valen Fartein (1887-1952). "It is with great joy and pride that we present this highly personal selection of works by one of Norways greatest composers. Several years after I first heard 'The Churchyard By The Sea' it still remains one of the single classical pieces of music that has made the greatest impression on me. And although the violin concerto is often singled out as the 'entrance' to the music of Valen, it is probably in the symphonic poems, here represented by the three first tracks, that we come closest to the very core of his art. It now also seems like this was the format most suited to Valen, something that can easily nourish the view that he was never really comfortable with the larger frames of the symphonies. Most experts will probably question the inclusion of the first symphony rather than any of the others. The reason is simple: It“s the one I like the most, possibly because it“s the one that has most in common with the symphonic poems. This collection has been remastered using 24-bit technology. -- Rune Kristoffersen/Rune Grammofon. From liner notes: "Valen's music is very distinctive. We need only hear a few notes to be able to identify his signature immediately. In technical terms, his music is strongly dissonant and based on polyphony. But the overall sound is more colorful than dissonant, more vibrant than strident, and airy despite its dense textures...Valen's world of sound is soft and supple, without the ironic or robust characteristics that dominate much contemporary music." -- Morten Eide Pedersen.

Artist:	JAZZKAMMER
Title:	Timex
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2014CD

"Jazzkammer is the joining of two Norwegian composer/musicians. John Herge is a guitarist, improviser, and composer who's been making music for over 15 years. He plays in Der Brief, a band often compared to Supersilent. Lasse Marhaug has been networking within the noise/experimental underground for ten years, having been involved in over 100 cassette, vinyl, and CD releases, playing concerts and taking part in countless collaborations. Timex features turntables, field recordings, guitars, static electric atmospheres, samplers, casios, and sine waves. All are used in free improvisation and to create collages. At exactly what time does the final track from an innocent New Year's Eve transform into the soundtrack from one of CNN's war reports? Lasse and John have previously collaborated on the Comfort of Objects CD with Helge Sten (Deathprod/Supersilent)."

Artist:	ŲKLAND, NILS
Title:	Straum
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2015CD

"Nils Ųkland is one of Norway's most remarkable fiddlers, a renewer of traditional folk music, building bridges to classical, contemporary and improvised music. His music combines freedom and tradition -- he is concerned with the tradition of passing music by word of mouth and at the same time to see it in a fruitful meeting with modern impulses. Hallvard Kvale, an authority on Norwegian folk music and the founder of Norway's biggest and longest running record company for traditional music, Helio, names Nils Ųkland a visionary, the best thing to happen to Norwegian folk music in decades, and the closest the tradition has come to a Miles Davis." Ųkland (Hardanger fiddle, violin), Sigbųrn Apeland (harmonium, piano, organ), Torbjųrn Ųkland (guitar, trumpet), Pål Thorstensen (double bass), Åsne Valland (vocal).

Artist:	PHONOPHANI
Title:	Genetic Engineering
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2016CD

"The second album from Phonophani, aka Espen Sommer Eide (Alog), his first from 1998 so far being the only release on Biosphere's Biophon label. Phonophani's work is characterized by various manipulated 'live instruments' seamlessly integrated with pure electronic sounds. Espen will not admit to this being a concept album, but says of the title that 'sampling is a form of gene manipulation where you arrange and rearrange soundparts from your own playing and the works of others to create new organisms of sound'."

Artist:	ELGARŲY, TORE
Title:	The Sound Of The Sun
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2017CD

"In our estimate the most personal and inventive Norwegian guitarist since Terje Rypdal. Tore Elgarųy's career soared to great heights when he appeared on Lee Claytons comeback album and Europe tour in 89. After this he withdrew from the music scene, but started writing and recording some years ago, with a completely new approach. The Sound of The Sun is a mix of solo guitar pieces and improvised sound abstractions, all deeply personal, intense and unlike any 'guitar' records we've heard."

Artist:	SUPERSILENT
Title:	5
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2018CD

"New and long awaited album from a band that refuse categorisation and is the act whose improvisations are sketching out the areas in which Rune Grammofon operates, being ambient, jazz, electronica, rock, techno, noise or musique concréte. Critics have compared them to the Miles Davis band of the early 70s, to Stockhausen and groups like Einstürzende Neubauten and Can. Producer and member Helge Sten (Deathprod) went through some 30 hours of live recordings to come up with this 70 minute collection, including selections from Oslo, London and Bologna. With typical Supersilent unpredictability, the material chosen seems to avoid the confrontational aspects of the group's live presentation. Mostly a calmer, more reflective side of Supersilent, it proposes a raw, electronic lyricism."

Artist:	ARCHETTI/BO WIGET, LUIGI
Title:	Low Tide Digitals
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2019CD

"First non-Norwegian artists on the label, needless to say we really love this record and are proud to have it in our catalogue. With cello, guitar and electronics our Swiss friends weave a beautiful, detailed and fragile soundscape. References to ambient, electronica and contemporary music but basically beyond categorisation. We seem to be hearing Eno in here somewhere, but can't really say why. Both Archetti and Wiget have been involved in several groups and projects over the years, both as recording artists and touring in Europe, Japan, Russia and USA. Archetti is a member of vintage German psychedelic band Guru Guru since more than 10 years and appear on 4 albums including their triple CD set from 1999."

Artist:	SPUNK
Title:	Filtered Through Friends
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2022CD

"Central artists from Norway“s flowering electronica and noise scene join forces to remix female chamber anarchist quartet Spunk, the source being the group“s debut album from 1999, Det eneste jeg vet er at det ikke er en stųvsuger (RCD 2010). Contributions from Martin Horntveth, Kim Hiorthųy, Upper Rooms, Phonophani, Svalastog, Kristin Andersen, (X, Y, Z), Andreas Meland, Jųrgen Tręen, Sun Demon, Risto Holopainen, Lasse Marhaug and Andreas Mjųs."

Artist:	MONOLIGHT
Title:	Free Music
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2023CD

"Monolight is the studio alias of Rune Kristoffersen. Most of the tracks were made using a set-up of one digital synthesizer, two old analogue synthesizers, and a couple of effects processors. He points out that the pieces that bookend this Free Music, namely 'Stranded In Narrow Air' and 'Still Light', are actually the most structured pieces on the album. Newer pieces, centred around the 'Duo Abstractions' tracks, derive from the fresh approach to recording: 'Once a couple of sounds are selected I use a very basic set-up where I can improvise using sequencers, arpeggio patterns and synthesizers that are triggered on the spot and combined in real time. This is all recorded digitally to two-track, with no real possibility to make repairs. When it works, you get a result that is truly unique in the sense that it's impossible to reproduce it. So: if it's a good take it'll be kept, if not, it'll get binned. And because everything is based on improvised manoeuvres, you can't really go back and try the same idea again. Having worked for many years in an environment where the recording process has been relatively structured and calculated, I have found this new hit-or-miss situation very liberating.' Specific inspiration for improvisations on Free Music included 'the work of painters like Rothko, Pollock, Klee, and Braque'."

Artist:	INFORMATION
Title:	Biomekano
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2024CD

"Third and easily the best album from these veterans of arctic ambient electronica. A beautiful and razorsharp production with plenty of depth and detail, this is an album that should most definitely appeal to Biosphere fans. Information is Per Henrik Svalastog from Tromsų and Jųrgen Knudsen from Bergen. Previous albums are Artifacts (nominated for a Norwegian Grammy in 98) and the 99 track play at random experiment of Successor from 2000. The duo are known to collaborate with artists from other genres and have worked closely with writers, performance artists, painters, sculptors and jazzmusicians. For Biomekano they invited several of Norway's most interesting video artists to work on moving images for the tracks."

Artist:	SCORCH TRIO
Title:	Scorch Trio
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2025CD

"The unique Finnish composer and guitar master Raoul Björkenheim teams up with the hot, young Norwegian rhythm section of Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (bass) and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums) in a classic powertrio setup. Burning with an untamed energy this is neither jazz nor rock, but a free spirited music that in places reminds us of another trio, Hendrix“ criminally underrated Band Of Gypsys. Recorded live in the studio to analogue tape during two January days this year, the sound of this record is excellent with much warmth and clarity. The three of them have worked with names like Bill Laswell, Jah Wobble, Paul Schütze, Henry Kaiser, Nicky Skopelitis, Mats Gustafsson, Krakatou, Joe McPhee, Iain Ballamy, Dave Liebman, Tony Oxley, Pat Metheny, Django Bates and several others."

Artist:	SPUNK
Title:	Den ųverste toppen på en blåmalt flaggstang
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2026CD

"The new studio album from this increasingly exciting and colourful quartet boasts yet another Pippi Longstocking related title. This free spirited and anti authoritarian character is one of the most loved and wellknown from the late, great Swedish author of children's books, Astrid Lindgren. It translates 'The very top of a bluepainted flagpole' and on reflection it gets clearer and clearer why the four young women (all still in their twenties) in Spunk so easily will identify with this character, going their own pathways and relentlessly breaking most rules in the book. In many ways both more accessible, varied and distinct than their debut from 1999."

Artist:	FOOD
Title:	Veggie
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2027CD

"This is the third album from the quartet featuring Iain Ballamy (sax), Arve Henriksen (trumpet), Mats Eilertsen (bass) and Thomas Strųnen (trommer), produced by Helge Sten (Deathprod). The blend of Ballamy“s distinctive and lyrical saxophone and Henriksen“s breathy trumpet textures is the perfect foil for the entrancing bass and drum trips created by the young rhythm section and Deathprod's electronic soundscaping. Veggie also includes an exclusive track from Deathprod."

Artist:	SUPERSILENT
Title:	6
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2029CD

"Supersilent have been a solid cornerstone in Rune Grammofon since the very beginning and are seen by many as representing the very essence of the label. From the monumental hardcore blizzard storms of 1-3 to the elegant electrojazz of 4 and the almost quiet soundscapes of 5, this new album is where the sum of all things Supersilent comes together in a shape of almost epic proportions. Like 1-3 and Scorch Trio, it was recorded at Athletic Sound in Halden, Norway. More than ever it appears clear that their music lives in a no man's land between the genres, somewhere between rock, electronica, jazz and modern composition. As with all their recordings and live performances, everything here is improvised. That most of the music on 6 appears to be written or at least arranged is testament to the high, almost telepathic level they work at . Needless to say, there are no overdubs. Often being labelled jazz because of the improvising aspect of the music and the fact that three of the members come from a jazz background, with 6 they are just as likely to attract followers of bands such as Goodspeed You! Black Emperor, Sigur Rós, King Crimson, (late) Talk Talk or Popol Vuh."

Artist:	NORDHEIM, ARNE
Title:	Dodeka
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2030CD

"It is with great joy and honour that we are able to celebrate our 30th release with a new album by one of the most distinguished personalities in Norwegian music. Not only that, Dodeka, meaning twelve in Greek, is a small sensation in that the twelve pieces presented here have never been available on record before. These compositions are made from the building blocks and basic elements from Nordheim“s work in Warszaw between 1967 and 1972. Considering the primitive working methods and the equipment available at the time, Dodeka is also special in that it“s sonic qualities are quite astounding with a clarity and character all of their own."

Artist:	EL GRANDE, JONO
Title:	Fevergreens
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2031CD

Jono el Grande: (guitar, harp, synthesizer, programming); Erik Lųkra: (saxophone); Håkon Stene: (xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel, percussion); Tomas Gantelius: (piano, synthesizer); Karl Strųmme: (trumpet); Kjell Tore Innervik: (xylophone); Kjell-Asbjųrn Bunęs: (flute); Rolf-Erik Nystrųm: (saxophone); Håkon Thelin: (doublebass); Terje Engen: (drums). "Jono el Grande, born Jon Andreas Håtun (29), surfaced in 1999 with the LP Utopiske Danser ('Utopian Dances'), a kind of concept album where Jono delivered his interpretations of 'utopian folk music' -- a musical genre that only exists in the dreams of human beings (!). The album was both odd and quite reckless, but at the same time it was a promising collection of mildly absurd instrumentals recorded under the artists bed (!?) using primarily a workstation synthesizer. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then and on Fevergreens Jono appears as a more complete artist with an uncommonly strong and personal vision.

       Jono el Grande has no formal musical training and is a selfmade composer, musician and conductor. Authoritarian musical education institutions have never been his cup of tea. It is no exaggeration to say that Jono is a true outsider in the Norwegian music community, were most music outside the mainstream is made by pale young men with worried furrows on their foreheads. The concerts of the Jono el Grande Orchestra is quite a lively and entertaining musical rollercoaster ride. As a conductor Jono combines comic talent with Wagnerian patos and the ensemble has been a big live hit both in clubs and concert halls.

       In many ways Jono el Grande's music has its origin in the early seventies, with references to Canterbury, Henry Cow, Frank Zappa as well as Burt Bacharach, Easy Listening and TV series music. It's both smooth and simple but also complex and cleverly arranged, a kind of light art music with hooks. Songs that in best pop manner crawl in through your ears and stick to your brain -- in spite of the intricate melodies and arrangements."

Artist:	SKYPHONE
Title:	Fabula
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2033CD

"Fabula is the debut release from Danish trio Skyphone. Aged between 29 and 31, Keld Dam Schmidt, Thomas Holst and Mads Bųdker are childhood friends who grew up in the rainy marshlands of southern Jutland. Having played in various rock outfits during most of the nineties they slowly moved towards the electronica scene and the German dub scene before starting Skyphone in 1999 in the leftover room at a painters studio in Copenhagen. Since then they have steadily developed their own style, combining traditional rock instruments with electronics; scratching and carefully damaging the surface of the digital sounds, creating melodic pop-songs-without-singing, leaving it to the listener to infer what the songs actually could have been and what is lurking virtually beneath the constrained, deliberately ambiguous surface of the song. In the Rune Grammofon catalogue Skyphone is probably closest in spirit and musical ideology to Alog and Phonophani, especially in their extensive use of acoustic elements, either sampled or played by themselves. Thomas Holst plays bass and is responsible for the darker and sometimes moody side of Skyphone, occasionally in the shape of Joy Division sounding basslines and atmospheres. He has also gathered material from Mongolia and Nepal for their ever-expanding and quite vast archive of sounds. Keld Dam Schmidt plays modular synths and guitar, often acoustic, giving many of the tracks an organic pulse. He is also the man behind many of the simple but beautiful and effective melodies that are so characteristic of Fabula. Mads Bųdker, the youngest member, plays analogue synths, samplers, effects, a wide variety of battered toy instruments and things that go snap, crackle and pop. Originally a saxophone player, he has retained a certain jazz sensitivity in programming the pulsating, layered rhythms."

Artist:	SUSANNA AND THE MAGICAL ORCHESTRA
Title:	List of Lights and Buoys
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2034CD

"Susanna and her orchestra is in fact a duo that has been around some four years on the Norwegian live scene, to much acclaim. Singer Susanna Wallumrųd (23) is a new name while Morten Qvenild (24) is a profiled keyboard player with the likes of Jaga Jazzist, jazz quartet Shining, Norwegian pop diva Bertine Zetlitz and recently Nils Petter Molvęr. The first time it hit us that this was something very special was when we heard a demo including their versions of 'Jolene' and Leonard Cohen“s 'Hallelujah'. The second time was when they, with an intimate and intense performance, managed to silence a festive and lively audience at Rune Grammofon“s five year celebration in London last year. Many were taken by their highly personal interpretation of 'Jolene', but also their own songs like 'Believer' and 'Hello' made strong impressions. On our own account we“d like to add that their approach to 'Jolene' and Susanna“s heartfelt delivery brings a new dimension to this classic. Behind the maritime album title we find versions of the mentioned 'Jolene', written by Dolly Parton, and Leonard Bernstein's 'Who Am I' as well as nine originals that show a surprising degree of maturity, especially considering the writers young age and the fact that they operate in a landscape that requires a good deal of songwriting skills to hold your attention."

Artist:	DEATHPROD
Title:	Morals and Dogma
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2035CD

"Deathprod, or Helge Sten as his name is, has been an important player since the beginning of Rune Grammofon. As a member of Supersilent he was part of the very first release in January 1998, Supersilent 1-3 (RCD 2001), and later the same year he and Biosphere remixed Arne Nordheim“s electronic works on the album Nordheim Transformed (RCD 2005). Born in 1971, he has worked under the name Deathprod since around 1990 in all his work as musician and producer. He was a member rock group Motorpsycho from 92 to 94 adding 'audio noise', theremin, keyboards and sound-collages to the band's hard rock. He has also worked extensively in theatre, dance, performance, art exhibitions and installations with particular emphasis on interactive media and improvisation. He has appeared as a player on some 20 albums and produced and/or engineered a further 80. Associates in diverse contexts have ranged from members of rock groups Swans, Mazzy Star and My Bloody Valentine to the contemporary music interpreters of the Cikada Ensemble. He lives and works in Oslo.

       When talking about his work methods he has revealed that he often only uses one sound source for a track, and that he can elaborate on this sound for months until he“s completely satisfied. This attention to detail makes him quite unique and it“s difficult to compare him with specific contemporaries, but Biosphere and Thomas Köner comes to mind. From the Rune catalogue there“s the aforementioned remix album with Biosphere as well as Supesilent 5 (RCD 2018). Morals and Dogma is the new Deathprod album, the rightful follow-up to Treetop Drive and therefor given a separate release. Morals And Dogma, four pieces recorded intermittently between 1994 and 2000, is presented as music for the ceremonies of an imaginary secret society, a soundtrack to the arcane rituals of a fictitious freemasonry. Violins may evoke symbolism of the glass harmonica; harmonium may evoke the encoded mystical language of the organ. This is fertile ground for unearthing symbols and cracking codes.

       The title Morals And Dogma appears proscriptive, yet it alludes to obscure knowledge cloaked in sonic shadows, action glimpsed indistinctly through acoustic drizzle and failing light. That indistinctness, however, is paradoxically vivid. As the glint or shine of minerals externalize their interior structure, the shimmer and glow of this music registers the inner life of sounds and corresponding interconnectedness of our sensory responses to them. At the primeval level of perception, according to Merleau-Ponty, 'experience is so ambiguous that the rhythm of a sound brings about the merging of cinematographic images and creates space that allows for a perception of movement'. Such experience depends on 'acoustic sustenance'. This music supplies such sustenance, the image flow, the play of textures.

       Morals And Dogma is a potent distillation of Deathprod music, simultaneously concentrated and diffuse, mining seams of potentiality in mood and slow movement, at once finely detailed and vast, microscopic and boundless, breaking open temporal cells to access zones of timelessness."

Artist:	DEATHPROD
Title:	Deathprod
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	4CD BOX
Price:	$45.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2036CD

Repressed! What was once one of the most acclaimed releases of 2004 will be available one last time. Beautifully-packaged 4CD boxset (4 digipaks in a heavy-duty box, nearly all black packaging). Includes the 2004 album Morals And Dogma (which is also available separately), plus reissues of the 3 prior albums: Reference Frequencies, Treetop Drive, Imaginary Songs From Tristan de Cunha, with 32 pages of liner notes, all eloquently designed by Kim Hiorthųy. These four CDs here document the period from 1991 to 2001. Treetop Drive from '95 and Imaginary Songs From Tristan Da Cunha from '94, both remastered and included here in full, were originally released in limited editions of 500 copies. In his music laboratory in Oslo, Deathprod (Helge Sten) works at the threshold between the latent potential of musical technology and the forms of life that sound assumes: the life of vibrations; the life of imagination. Deathprod is suggestive of last and first things, physical decay and the processes of production, decomposition and composition, the breaking down of sound that precedes fresh musical creation. A guiding principle in Deathprod's laboratory work is that his music should have the capacity to evoke images without becoming excessively programmatic. He references the soundtracks made by Florian Fricke and his group Popol Vuh to accompany films by Werner Herzog. The Reference Frequencies series of nine live electronic improvisations was made in 1991, recorded to cassette using unpromisingly basic electronic equipment. Loops mysteriously slide from the groove of repetition into swirling forms and cryptic atmospheres. Layers thicken, some congeal and sink as others thin and evaporate in glistening spray. Figures stalk through clouds; strange topographies form from molten matter then dissolve in crystalline streams; curious stories in remote languages cry out to be deciphered.

       Imaginary Songs from Tristan da Cunha is an extraordinary adventure in ethnographic surrealism that began when Sten graduated from the Trondheim Art Academy. Tristan da Cunha is the most remote island in the world, a volcanic mound in the distant reaches of the South Atlantic.

       Treetop Drive, from 1993 and 1994, opens with a symphonic ending, a dying fall severed from some massive structure and reanimated as another music. Last and first things; the afterlife of a final chord; classical closure reversed by means of sampling and a homemade feedback device.

Artist:	HENRIKSEN, ARVE
Title:	Chiaroscuro
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2037CD

Arve Henriksen (trumpet, vocal, electronics); Jan Bang (live sampling); Audun Kleive (drums, percussion). "Chiaroscuro is the follow-up to this fantastic trumpet player“s debut album, the much acclaimed Sakuteiki from 2001 (RCD2021). This time he is joined by drummer Audun Kleive and sound artist Jan Bang to create some very beautiful musical soundscapes where the trumpet is the natural focal point. There“s also more room for Arve“s wordless singing, sometimes used to stunning effect with Supersilent. As with Sakuteiki, Chiaroscuro is recorded on locations in Norway, but this time in concert situations. The final selections have been chosen by Arve himself and treated and mixed by Jan Bang and Erik Honoré. The album“s title comes from the Italian word meaning light and shade, referring to the technique of using these elements to achieve an illusion of depth in two-dimensional works of art and later in moving pictures, cue the titles of the individual tracks on the album."

Artist:	PHONOPHANI
Title:	Oak or Rock
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2038CD

"Phonophani is multi-instrumentalist and digital electronics expert Espen Sommer Eide. Born in 1972 in Oslo, Sommer Eide has been playing music in one form or another since childhood; for the last decade his priority has been computer music. In 1998 he released his first, now deleted, album Phonophani on the Biophon label run by Geir Jenssen (aka Biosphere). His second album, Genetic Engineering (RCD 2016) was released by Rune Grammofon in 2001 to critical acclaim. He is also a member of Alog, the duo with two albums on Rune Grammofon (Red Shift Swing from 1999 and Duck-Rabbit from 2001). It“s difficult to place Phonophani in todays musical landscape, Espen himself says that Oak or Rock is all about rediscovering the great mystery of music. Through dissecting the sound of ordinary or 'real' instruments and dissolving melodies into their elementary particles, he seeks to excavate the 'ur' music itself. These sounds are often sampled and manipulated using software designed and made by himself, a keen programmer who prefers this to the so-called industry standards. The title itself refers to mysterious connections between material things."

Artist:	STRONEN/STORLOKKEN
Title:	Humcrush
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2039CD

"This exceptional debut release from Food drummer Thomas Strųnen and Supersilent keyboardist Ståle Storlųkken is a most welcome addition to the Rune Grammofon catalogue. Thomas Strųnen (born 72) has studied music and composition. He is a regular member of several bands, most notably Food, Maria Kannegaard Trio and Parish, the quartet led by Swedish ace pianist Bobo Stenson. As is the case for most Norwegian jazz musicians of his generation he has played with just about everybody and been a frequent performer at the Norwegian and European festival circuit for several years. Ståle Storlųkken is a founder member of Supersilent, Terje Rypdal“s Skywards and jazzrock quartet Cucumber but was first noticed with freeform trio Veslefrekk with fellow Supersilent members Arve Henriksen and Jarle Vespestad. This group was formed as a result of meeting at the 'jazz academy' in Trondheim, breeding ground for a whole generation of young players in Norway. He is probably the most interesting and adventurous electric keyboard player operating on the Norwegian scene at the moment. Being raised on Joe Zawinul and Herbie Hancock, he has developed a style and a personal signature that is uniquely his own, heard to great effect on stage and on record with Supersilent. And of course on Humcrush. Humcrush is a set of improvisations recorded live in the studio, believe it or not we might add, as they more often sound like meticulously composed and programmed pieces of music."

Artist:	SCORCH TRIO
Title:	Luggumt
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2040CD

"Raoul Björkenheim, the highly original Finnish composer and guitarist, is representing the perfect balance between raw electricity and restrained elegance. Here he is paired with Norway's hottest young rhythm section in what can only be described as a classic power trio, burning with an untamed, but still focused energy. Bookended by two lengthy tour de force workouts, this is a more varied collection than their self-titled debut from 2002. We get some lovely free playing demonstrating the great interplay these musicians are capable of, beautiful soundscapes and some strange sounding Korean court music vibes. All recorded live in the studio without overdubs or edits, and once again to analogue tape.

       Björkenheim was raised on Hendrix, Zappa and other rock music before he discovered Miles, Coltrane, Mingus and Eric Dolphy. He played in several groups before being invited into the circle around the late, legendary drummer Edward Vesala to play on three records with him before forming Krakatou and recording two strong albums for ECM. He has written film scores and orchestral music, toured everywhere and recorded with Bill Laswell, Henry Kaiser, Jah Wobble, Peter Erskine, Paul Schütze, Mats Gustafsson, Nicky Skopelitis, Lukas Ligeti a.o.

       Håker Flaten is one of Norway's most in-demand bassists. In addition to Scorch Trio he is a regular member of The Thing w/Mats Gustafsson, Atomic, Close Erase w/Christian Wallumrųd, School Days and Petter Wettre Trio. He has also toured with Trygve Seim, Joe McPhee, Chris Potter, Iain Ballamy, Dave Liebman, Tony Oxley, Frode Gjerstad and SPUNK.

       Paal Nilsen-Love is one of the most profiled players on the Norwegian jaszz scene.

       He has always been occupied with different forms of jazz, but the two factors that are always important to him are those of energy and creative freedom. In addition to Scorch Trio he is a regular member of The Thing, School Days, Frode Gjerstad Trio, Atomic and Håkon Kornstad Trio. He has recorded and performed with a number of musicians, from Pat Metheny and Django Bates to Svein Finnerud and Nils Petter Molvęr."

Artist:	FOOD
Title:	Last Supper
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2041CD

"The fourth album from this quartet and quite possibly their very best. Brilliantly performed and recorded, it's highlighting the delicate balance between Ballamy and Henriksen's melodic and lyrical playing and the electronic soundscapes they fully started to explore on Veggie. Which speaks volumes when we know that Veggie was nominated for a Norwegian Grammy and received some outstanding reviews, 'this is remarkable, visionary music', (Jazz UK), 'a very important work', (Milkfactory, UK). And lets not forget Mats Eilertsen and Thomas Strųnen, one of many excellent rhythm sections currently working in Norwegian jazz."

Artist:	OKLAND, NILS
Title:	Bris
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2042CD

"Nils Ųkland is an innovative violinist and Hardanger fiddle specialist who is creatively expanding the range of the traditional music of his homeland. He is a renewer of folk music, consistently building bridges to classical, contemporary and improvised musics. His playing combines freedom with respect for Norway's musical heritage. He is concerned both with the preservation of the oral folk music tradition and with the experimental possibilities of the music when it is charged with modern impulses. Bris, meaning 'Breeze', is Ųkland“s third album, his second for Rune Grammofon, and the first where practically all the material is written by himself. This is quite unusual for the genre, but only emphasizes his interest to move in new directions and to explore new possibilities in his instruments and his playing, both solo and with a group. The group assembled for this recording is in itself ample proof of genre crossing, with Sigbjųrn Apeland the only one left from previous albums Blå Harding and Straum (RCD 2015). Per Oddvar Johansen and Mats Eilertsen (Food, etc.) are young veterans of the flowering Norwegian jazz scene, while Håkon Stene, who appeared on Jono El Grande“s Fevergreens (RCD 2031), comes from the classical world. Parts of the album are based on music Ųkland wrote for Melankolia, a play based on Jon Fosse“s novel about the Norwegian painter Lars Hertervig (1830-1902)."

Artist:	ALOG
Title:	Miniatures
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2043CD

Originally released in 2005. Alog are Norwegian duo Espen Sommer Eide and Dag-Are Haugan. Alog have been with Rune Grammofon since their debut album Red Shift Swing was released in 1999. Already a mature and original collection, their sound has since been perfected through their second album, Duck-Rabbit, and concert activities before arriving with Miniatures, their third and in Rune Grammofon's view, best and most consistent album. The title is inspired by Turkish miniature paintings, where the rules are as follows: no shadows, no mixed colors, no perspective, no facial characteristics, no uniqueness of objects. Only pure radiant colored objects configured in mysterious patterns. Whether these rules are applied to the music of Alog is open to discussion, but there's no doubt that there are similarities of expression. Eide is involved in the city's experimental music scene and has released three solo albums as Phonophani. Haugan studied at the Malmö Academy of Fine Art in Sweden. Four years ago he released a solo vinyl album, 9 Solitaires, on the K-RAA-K label. The duo's name alludes to their preferred method of sound treatment, to show that both digitAL and anaLOG procedures are integral to their work, with Espen being "Digitalman" and Dag-Are being "Analogman." The actual playing of "real" instruments has always been a vital element in their music-making, and even more so this time. Some of the tracks are based on live recordings, the "Steve Reich-with-punk- guitar track" "St. Paul Sessions II" being a prime example.

Artist:	SHINING
Title:	In the Kingdom of Kitsch You Will Be a Monster
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2044CD

"In The Kingdom Of Kitsch You Will Be A Monster is Shining's third album and their first for Rune Grammofon, marking a somewhat distinct change of direction. While their previous offerings could easily be categorised as jazz, their new album is a much more varied affair that has more in common with progressive art rock, going from heavy, complex riffing to subtle and lyrical passages. For the first time they use a number of guitars, vintage keyboards, horns and percussion instruments. But forget endless synth soloing, twenty minute directionless 'symphonies' and incomprehensible lyrics about cosmos. This is a fresh, vital and highly evolved collection of music, and it“s quite remarkable to think it“s all written and conceived by someone so young. Producer Kåre Chr. Vestrheim has been instrumental in shaping the album. He is a rising star in Norway having produced indie acts such as Hanne Hukkelberg as well as highly successful local chart acts such as Odd Nordstoga and Gåte.

Shining is a Jaga Jazzist offshoot with two former members/writers in their ranks. Leader and multi instrumentalist Jųrgen Munkeby (24) was a member since their first album in 96 (yes, he joined Jaga at the age of 16) and left the band after their latest album, The Stix. He recorded In The Fishtank with rock group Motorpsycho and has worked with Bobby Hughes Combination (formely Experience) and has written film music. Jųrgen listened to bands like Sepultura, Pantera and Death as a kid before picking up the saxophone at the age of nine (!!). Since then he's had periods listening to jazz and sax players like Coltrane and Garbarek, classical and contemporary music as well as more metal and progressive rock. Kingdom fulfils his need to return to his roots, picking up elements from music that has inspired him along the way. Bass player Aslak Hartberg (29) is the brain and musical force behind Norway“s best selling hip-hop band, Klovner i Kamp. He has also toured with Bugge Wesseltoft“s band. Torstein Lofthus (26) is one of the most used session drummers in Norway and has played with a number of local pop acts. Keyboard player Morten Qvenild (25) was in Jaga Jazzist during the same period as Jųrgen. Since the recording of Kingdom he has left Shining to concentrate on Susanna and the Magical Orchestra and his acoustic trio, In The Country, whose debut album will be released by Rune Grammofon in March. His replacement is Jaga Jazzist keyboardist Andreas Schei (24)."

Artist:	IN THE COUNTRY
Title:	This Was the Pace of My Heartbeat
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2045CD

Rune Grammofon presents its first "jazz" record with the debut release from this Norwegian-based piano trio led by pianist Morten Qvenild (Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, The National Bank). Along with bass player Roger Arntzen and drummer Pål Hulsken, In the Country are all active in other groups as well -- Qvenild and Arntzen most notably in Shining, Jaga Jazzist, and Damp. This Was The Pace Of My Heartbeat is not your typical piano trio album, meaning that Qvenild has skipped the Keith Jarrett school. When it comes to piano players he will admit to a certain fondness for Paul Bley and the late Norwegian free player Svein Finnerud, but he also draws inspiration from pop writers when it comes to a sense of structure, and modern composers such as Messiaen and Feldman for the use of space and sound. The album includes nine original Qvenild compositions as well as a Ryan Adams cover and an interpretation of Händel“s beautiful "Laschia Ch“io Pianga." Morten Qvenild is already a central force in a young generation of extremely competent Norwegian musicians operating with great ease between various genres such as jazz, pop, rock, classical, electronic and modern composition. The album is an analogue recording and is produced by Arve Henriksen.

Artist:	ARCHETTI/BO WIGET, LUIGI
Title:	Low Tide Digitals II
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2046CD

Low Tide Digitals II is the sequel to this non-Norwegian duo's acclaimed 2001 debut album of the same name (RCD 2019). As with the debut, this is an Eno-esque, extremely fine-tuned mix of acoustic instruments and electronic elements. Switzerland-based musicians Luigi Archetti and Bo Wiget have created an album of sensitive, electronically-tinged free improvising. With cello, guitar and electronics, Archetti and Wiget weave a beautiful, detailed and fragile soundscape. Most see references to ambient, electronica and contemporary music but basically this release is beyond categorization. Archetti is a multi-media visual and sound artist, who has been active in both free improv groups and experimental rock since the late 1970s. Currently known as a member of the psychedelic group Guru Guru and also acclaimed for his work as a painter, Archetti has improvised with artists such as Urs Voerkel, Ellen Christi, Magikami Koichi and many others. Possessing a similar rock background, the last decade has seen Bo Wiget working with numerous improvisers including legendary Swiss free saxophonist Werner Lüdi, Czech singer/violinist Iva Bittova, and Japanese guitarist Taku Sugimoto.

Artist:	SPUNK
Title:	En Aldeles Forferdelig Sykdom
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2048CD

Spunk's third studio album marks the 10th anniversary of this playful and ever experimenting Norwegian quartet. Members Maja Ratkje (voice, Theremin, electronics), Kristin Andersen (trumpet, violin, flute), Lene Grenager (cello) and Hild Sofie Tafjord (French horn, flute, electronics) have been involved in various musical activities since their debut release in 1999, and they remain four musicians with very different backgrounds -- classical, contemporary, jazz, pop, rock, techno, even country -- that makes a musical landscape which is new for most people, even to well-trained musicians. En Aldeles Forferdelig Sykdom also boasts yet another Pippi Longstocking-related title. The title translates as "'An Absolutely Terrible Disease" and on reflection it gets clearer and clearer why the four young women in Spunk so easily identify with such a character. Coming from a formal, academic music education, it hasn't always been so easy to break almost every rule in the book, and this is exactly what they relentlessly have been doing since forming back in 1995. Free collective improvising is one of the most demanding ways of making music: the pitfalls are many -- self-absorption, incoherence, certain standardized "gestures" of free jazz, lack of dynamics, humourlessness -- but Spunk are alert to the dangers. Bold, sometimes witty, always alert, they make engaging music, and keep the sound of surprise alive. They have no fear of bringing the music to the brink of anarchy -- they are interested in extremes as well as subtleties -- but their instincts as composers-in-action also serve them well. Most of all, perhaps, Spunk convince by the force of their own convictions.

Artist:	MOHA!
Title:	Raus Aus Stavanger
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2049CD

MoHa! is the latest Rune Grammofon signing and, after a series of highly-sought after CD-Rs, this is the Norwegian duo's first proper full-length release. Comprised of guitarist Anders Hana and percussionist Morten Olsen, this is the absolute in improv/guitar/electronics violence. Hana and Olsen have played together since 1999, in duo or in collaboration with Andrew D'Angelo/Morthana, Ultralyd, Frode Gjerstad Trio, Phō, John Hegre, Ingebrigt H. Flaten, Maja Ratkje, Pål Jackman and Per Zanussi. In addition, they are members of the N-Collective, and apart have participated in musical acts such as Noxagt, Thomas Dybdahl & TGOS, Jaga Jazzist, M/N/O/G and Office-R(6). Both have played with greats such as Paal Nilssen-Love, Steve Lacy, Axel Dörner, Mats Gustafsson, Lasse Marhaug, Fred Frith, Trevor Dunn and Arve Henriksen. Raus Aus Stavanger displays the best of the duo's most recent output, with noise-based rock textures, good old cheap contact microphones, screeing guitar and ear-battering, processed drums. This release was recorded in analogue heaven Athletic Sound, home of great sounding releases from Supersilent and Scorch Trio. And if pushed to find references, it's probably these two acts MoHa! have most in common with. Everything was recorded live in the studio with no overdubs, showing two young musicians playing at a very high level of control, communication and creative power.

Artist:	STRONEN, THOMAS
Title:	Pohlitz
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2051CD

This is the first solo release from Thomas Strųnen who is founder and leader of the Norwegian/British band Food. Strųnen has since long established himself as much more than a traditional drummer, but also as a composer of percussion and electronics, as well as an active contributor to other major projects including the Humcrush duo with Supersilent keyboardist Ståle Storlųkken, the Maria Kannegaard Trio and Parish, the quartet he leads with ace Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson. Strųnen has also worked with trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, the Cikada String quartet and singer Silje Nergaard. Pohlitz marks the 30th release Strųnen has appeared on, and the eight tracks show a mature writer and arranger, the music sharing some possible references with minimalists such as Steve Reich, traditional gamelan music as well as fellow Norwegian Arne Nordheim's classic electronic exercises. From jazz, to improv, to electronics, each detail and melodic element is an important part of the whole picture. Thomas Strųnen has already done several solo live shows under the Pohlitz name and will continue to do so in the future, all the music being played and processed live in real-time.

Artist:	RATKJE, MAJA
Title:	Voice
Label:	RUNE GRAMMOFON (NORWAY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	RCD 2028CD