Human Being Human - Equals (June 17, 2022 April Records)

Human Being Human is bassist Torben Bjørnskov, pianist Esben Tjalve and drummer Frederik Bülow.

The three musicians have all been touring around the world and played with a wide range of acclaimed international artists and are excited about this new constellation. Human Being Human sonically explores and challenges the acoustic jazz trio. With elements of electronica and ambient landscapes, the trio's sound universe and possibilities are expanded.

The trio's main elements are depth, humor and presence. The heart of the music is at the forefront along with the interplay and curiosity.

The trio's compositional basis is to create musical platforms where the music can unfold with equal parts improvisation, grooves and moods. The trio's music has cinematic landscapes, images of intense cacophony. Inspiration equals from Bach's counterpoint to swampy soul jazz but with a core in Scandinavia's melodic and melancholic tone.

Torben Bjørnskov acoustic bass, electronics

Torben Bjørnskov is musician and composer and one of Denmark's most sought-after bassists. He has performed / toured in most of the world and worked with musicians from a large number of countries, especially the U.S.A. and the Scandinavian countries. The concerts have taken place from local jazz clubs to large international venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Royal Festival Hall in London. In addition, he participates in a large number of studios and live recordings, including a number of album releases in his own name.

Esben Tjalve piano, keys

Esben Tjalve is a pianist and composer and Bachelor from the Royal Academy of Music with a Master's in Composition from the Guildhall School of Music in London. He has been living in London for a number of years and has been active on the English jazz scene. In addition, Tjalve has written music for BBC radio drama, Universal, EMI and Warner Chappell as well as written award-winning music for films for various artists and released two jazz albums with his own band Red Kite.

Frederik Bülow drums

Frederik Bülow is a drummer and composer and DMA winner with his band Bangin' Bülow's Nice Jazz Quartet. BBNJQ has toured in Europe, Russia and the USA. Frederik's Jazztronica quintet Abekejser has broken the boundary between jazz and electronic music and has been awarded the Jazz News Prize. 

1. Naked Trees 06:16

2. Equals 05:59

3. Gloom 04:28

4. Lovolution 04:48

5. Place Unfound 07:03

6. One Not Two 03:55

7. Sun 04:45

8. Kármán Line 06:40

Torben Bjørnskov double bass, electronics

Esben Tjalve piano, keyboards

Frederik Bülow drums

Recorded at Finland Studios, March 12-13, 2021

Recorded by Jacob Worm

Produced by Human Being Human

Mixed by August Wanngren/Oui Music

Mastered by John Fomsgaard at Karmacrew

Photos by Michael Skouboe

Line Notes by Nick Hasted, Jazzwise

Cover artwork by Julie Bjørnskov

Cover design by Enrico Andreis

All compositions by Torben Bjørnskov

Published by April Publishing ApS

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Kresten Osgood - Plays the Organ for You (June 3, 2022 April Records)

One of Denmarks most prolific and influential musicians Kresten Osgood is releasing his first album as a Hammond organist on April Records.

Osgood is mostly known as a drummer and has been associated with(to name a few) Dr. Yusef Lateef, Paul Bley, Sam Rivers, Wadada Leo Smith, Lee Scratch Perry, Mouse on Mars and John Tchicai. He has a long history of playing drums with organists such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Billy Preston and Sam Yahel but this is his first album playing the organ himself.

Its an album full of soulful and funky grooves and with a deep understanding of and respect for the idiom. Osgood is covering classic organ tunes such as "Wildfire" or "Play It Back" and also interpreting hit songs like "By the Time I get To Phoenix" and "Når lyset bryder frem" by danish rock icon Sebastian.

Guitarist Friodin Nordsø and drummer Ludomir Dietl are both well known pop producers on the danish scene. Fridolin is known from bands such as The William Blakes and Choir Of Young Believers. Ludomir is a freelancer and known from the band Late.

If you like funky soulful music and cant get enogh of the sound of the hammond organ.

This is the album to get!

1. Play it Back 03:35

2. Poinciana 04:36

3. Wildfire 05:43

4. Når lyset bryder frem 04:04

5. Baby Let Me Take You in My Arms 07:28

6. Onsaya Joy 02:38

7. Dansevise 05:23

8. By The Time I Get To Phoenix 04:23

Recorded at Njalsgade Studio A, Copenhagen, Denmark, March and April, 2020

Kresten Osgood: Hammond A102 Organ

Fridolin Nordsø: Guitar

Ludomir Dietl: Drums

Arto Eriksen: Percussion

Produced by Fridolin Nordsø

Recorded by Arto Eriksen

Mixed and Mastered by Fridolin Nordsø and Arto Eriksen

Photos by Henri Van Gelder

Cover design by Enrico Andreis

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Gustaf Ljunggren with Skúli Sverrisson - Floreana (May 13, 2022 April Records)

Swedish multi-instrumentalist and composer Gustaf Ljunggren has teamed up with Icelandic Bass Guitar player and composer Skúli Sverrisson (Laurie Anderson, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bill Frisell, Blonde Redhead ) to create an album that wishes to offer the listener private musical spaces to dwell in for a while.

Ljunggren’s musical language is clear, gentle, and melodic, and the pieces chosen for this album all share a sense of weaving past and future together into the present. Gustaf Ljunggren reflects about the music on Floreana: “I listened inwards, and it sounded like this. Melodies came to the surface, and I chose to say ‘yes’ to them, embrace them, carry them forward. My musical partner on this album, Skúli Sverrisson, has been with me throughout this process; embracing the music with both profound dedication and artistic boldness.”

The music on the album grants the listener access to something that’s forgotten or undiscovered. There’s a sensuousness throughout the work; musical spaces that reveal possibilities to listen inwards, aided by repetition in melodies and patterns. The music doesn’t seek climaxes as much as it seeks states of presence and attention.

The live concerts with Gustaf Ljunggren and Skúli Sverrisson will explore the spaces the music on Floreana invites to. Two of northern Europe’s most distinctive instrumentalists will interpret Ljunggren’s compositions with a strong attention to the environment where the music is performed. The audience can expect the performers to display a deep commitment to the presence of the music as it unfolds. Each concert will be an exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience - a celebration of the spaces within, that Floreana seeks out to discover.

Gustaf Ljunggren:

The Swedish multi-instrumentalist Gustaf Ljunggren (born 1974 in Stockholm, Sweden), is originally educated as a saxophonist at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, where he has lived since 1996. Apart from the saxophone and other wind instruments, Ljunggren also masters various keyboards, the piano and various strings. The main instruments on the new album is the guitar in forms like pedal steel, lap steel, mando- and electric guitars. During his years in Denmark Gustaf Ljunggren has recorded and played with a range of Danish artists, like C.V. Jørgensen, Benny Andersen, Steffen Brandt and the Scandinavian artists Sofia Karlsson (S), Robyn (S) and Eivør (Faroe Islands). In 2015 he received the Ken Gudman prize, one of Denmark’s big and essential music prizes. The last album released in his own name was ‘Måne’, as part of the duo Gustaf Ljunggren / Emil de Waal.

Skúli Sverrisson:

The world known Islandic bass player and composer Skúli Sverrisson handle the albums basses. Skúli Sverrisson (born 1966) moved from his native Iceland to New York in the early 90's. Since then Sverrisson has recorded and worked with numerous international artists. Just to mention a few, Laurie Anderson, Blonde Redhead, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lou Reed, Bill Frisell and many more. He has also composed music for the Icelandic Dance Company and the National Theatre of Island. Sverrisson has won 5 Icelandic Music Awards, and in 2006 his album ‘Seria’ got the Album of the Year prize. Last album in his own name was ‘An tillits’ as part of the duo Magnus Johann and Skúli Sverrisson.

1. Palace Prelude 00:55

2. Leading Somewhere 04:23

3. Kongens Mark 03:43

4. Bottomless Siestas 04:51

5. Olive 03:47

6. Isen bruten 03:30

7. Codimar 06:49

8. Streams 04:14

9. Vestegnsromantik 04:31

10. Maren 01:22

11. Vi overlever 04:57

Gustaf Ljunggren – Baritone Ukulele, Lap Steel Guitar, Pedel Steel Guitar, Acoustic, Electric. Mando and Resonator Guitars, Drum, Piano & Keyboards

Skúli Sverrisson – Bass Guitar

Cæcilie Balling – Violin on “Vestegnsromantik”

Produced by Gustaf Ljunggren

Recorded by Sturla Mio Thorisson at Masterkey Studios, Seltjarnarnes, Iceland, Gustaf Ljunggren at Gustavo Recording, Copenhagen and Mark Freegard at Kyoti Studio, Glasgow

Mixed by Daniel Ögren

Mastered by Mark Freegard

Photo of Gustaf by Morten Fog, Photo of Skúli by Matthew Eismann

Cover photo by Gustaf Ljunggren

Cover design by Enrico Andreis

All compositions by Gustaf Ljunggren

Arrangements by Gustaf Ljunggren and Skúli Sverrisson

Published by April Publishing ApS

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I Just Came From The Moon - Ånd Ud (February 25, 2022 April Records)

Ånd Ud is the second album from Danish jazzers I Just Came from the Moon. Following years of touring both nationally and internationally, the album is a natural follow up to the debut album ‘Hoax’, but also a more general reflection on growing up and settling down.

As Frederik, bass-player and bandleader puts it: “For us, all the songs on Ånd Ud navigate a world of both deep melancholy and natural beauty. There’s a lot of saying goodbye to your carefree youth in the music, mixed with a profound serenity when realizing that what lies ahead might be even better.”

The music was recorded in a tiny vacation home on the small island of Fur in Jutland. Just the band and one technician for a couple of extended weekends. Later, IJCFTM produced and mixed most of the music themselves. “We tried a few producers - and were super fortunate to have Stephen Koszler do the mix of ‘White’ (the first single) - but in the end, it felt the most natural to finalize the rest of the music ourselves. The songs are really personal, and we were absolutely sure how we needed them to sound.” says Tobias, who plays drums and ended up mixing most of the music.

The album will be released on the legendary and newly resurrected Danish jazz-label ‘April Records’ on February 25th, 2022, with three singles leading up to the release: Brothers (5th of November 2021), Dark Latin (10th of December 2021) and White (14th of January 2022).

1. White 04:26

2. Utke 03:21

3. Fossils 04:01

4. Dark Latin 04:53

5. Ånd ud 02:36

6. Mexico 05:02

7. Incendies 04:13

8. Brothers 04:08

9. Snowman 05:17

Recorded on the island of Fur in Limfjorden, Denmark

Jonas Scheffler - Trumpet

Nis Myrtue - Saxophone & Clarinets

Nikolaj Bugge - Guitar

Frederik Hagner - Bass

Tobias Andreassen - Drums

Produced and mixed by Tobias Andreassen, Stephen Koszler (White) & IJCFTM

Recorded by Esben Inglev / Penguin Productions

Mastered by Emil Thomsen / ET Mastering

Artwork by Josefine Sund

Photos by Peder Lyngsø

Cover design by Enrico Andreis

Liner Notes by Ned Ferm

All music composed and performed by I JUST CAME FROM THE MOON

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Alawari - Alawari (April 29, 2022 April Records)

Do you want to see the dark backdrop that creates the scenery for your everyday life?

ALAWARI is a musical project with a European sound that brings modern history together in one burning expression and improves the contrasts in life routines.

Fragments from ancient wars and revolutions resonate in the music that brings both elements of classical music and jazz into a strong format that has never been more relevant. An orchestral,compositional and improvisational music that seeks to overwhelm and undress the listener’s reservations.

The band releases their debut album on April Records 29th of April 2022.

The debut release “ALAWARI”, is the distillate of several years of work, immortalized in one album like a musical manifesto that wants to revitalize the authentic music experience.

In 2016, the project started consisting of six musicians who quickly made themselves noticed by their telepathic and fabulous animal-like expressions. This was the message after the band in 2017 won the Young Jazz competition, which was the starting point for a European tour in Germany and Poland as well as the intake of some of the most prominent venues in Denmark..

Simon Forchhammer, Jonatan Bak, Sune Sunesen, Frederik Engell, Carlo Becker, and Asger Nissen constitutes the group that through a strong instrumental and compositional surplus seeks to create one intense and present experience that tears the world apart, and invite the listener to rebuild and put it back together.

1. Flimmer 02:47

2. Koral 02:11

3. Hvalen 03:30

4. Misundelse 06:33

5. Sunes Hit 03:49

6. Etude 02:53

7. Stone 03:54

8. Elegi 04:09

9. Sorg Pt. 1 03:37

10. Sorg Pt. 2 01:43

11. Revolution 08:23

Sune Sunesen Rendtorff - Piano

Carlo Janusz Becker Lauritsen - Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Jonatan Melby Bak – Double Bass

Asger Uttrup Nissen – Alto saxophone

Simon Forchhammer - Drums

Frederik Engell – Tenor saxophone

Featuring: Eigil Pock Steen – Live Processing & Sampling (Tracks: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)

Produced and Mixed by Frederik Engell, Simon Wetterstrøm Mariegaard and Simon Forchhammer

Recorded by Simon Wetterstrøm Mariegaard

Mastered by John Fomsgaard

Cover Artwork by Sune Sunesen Rendtorff

Cover Design by Enrico Andreis

Liner Notes by Flemming Agerskov

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Tomasz Dąbrowski - Tomasz Dąbrowski & The Individual Beings (February 11, 2022 April Records)

POLISH TRUMPET STAR’S NEW ALBUM HONORS ICON ON HISTORIC HORN

Tomasz Dąbrowski makes his April Records debut with an all-star septet, presenting music inspired by Tomasz Stańko and reflecting on his lasting legacy, lessons learned, and making music on one of the legend’s own storied instruments.

“There are several layers of connection with Stańko,” Tomasz Dąbrowski (b.1984) explains. Both celebrated Polish musicians with the same first name were also wired in similarly creative ways – each forging ahead in their own unmistakable voices on the same instrument (literally the same trumpet… more on that later). Stańko (1942-2018), the recently departed legend, imparted artistic wisdom through his example during their time working together.

In addition to listening to Stańko’s music while growing up in Poland, Dąbrowski had a poster of the jazz titan in his bedroom for years and remembers the first time they met: “He knew who I was… that was very encouraging,” the younger Tomasz says.

This new album is also connected to Stańko in multiple ways. The band was initially created for a concert in Lodz in May of 2020 when Dąbrowski was commissioned to write (and assemble an ensemble to present) new music for the closing concert at the Letnia Akademia Jazzu in Poland that year. He used it as an opportunity to honor his late hero, mentor, colleague, bandmate, and friend. The concert was a success and a recording session was planned for the following year, giving Tomasz time to write and polish new material. The result of the session is the deeply moving and exciting album available to listeners today.

“For a long time, I thought that it was important to be able to play ‘everything’ and make it sound ‘right,’ but after I met Stanko and had some time to reflect on this, I realized that what’s most important is to have your own voice – a voice so strong that it can exist in whatever context you choose and it will still be you,” Dąbrowski shares.

The band’s name and album’s title, Individual Beings, is also a reference to a Stańko quote – taken from Desperado, a print biography available only in Polish – which Dąbrowski translates for us: “I don't feel lonely. I am an individual being… I am Polish, I was born here, Polish is my main language, I am deeply connected with this land, but most of all I feel I am Tomasz Stańko. Individual Being. I am a unique gathering of atoms, there is no one else like that in the world, in the cosmos. Here I am.”

That resonated deeply with Dąbrowski, who took it even further: “we’re all Individual Beings, and our individuality is the strongest thing we have to offer the world – it has to be protected and developed.”

Dąbrowski has honored that mindset and responsibility throughout his career, and never more so than on this new album. The music on this recording, which he describes among other things as a “search for simplicity,” is brought to life by the trumpeter/composer/arranger and six other musicians – apart from saxophonist Fredrik Lundin (Denmark) and drummer Knut Finsrud (Norway), the rest of the group’s members are Polish or based in Poland (Irek Wojtczak on tenor/soprano saxophone & electronics, Grzegorz Tarwid on grand piano & keyboards, Max Mucha on double bass, and Jan Emil Mtynarski on electric & acoustic drums). Each musician arrived into the bandleader’s life sometime over the last half-decade or so, and was chosen for this project, specifically, for their representation and manifestation of one of the things most important to Dąbrowski: “personality, both on and off stage.”

Finally, there’s the horn. During the recording session for the new album, Tomasz (Dąbrowski) played one of Stańko’s horns – his primary instrument in the 1990s, on which he did some of his best work – on loan from Anna Stańko, daughter of the dear departed. “It gave a lot of power to me,” the bandleader says.

That power can be felt, heard, and celebrated throughout Tomasz Dąbrowski’s first release on April Records – as he and the other six other Individual Beings in a powerful, brilliantly and acutely attuned septet present a program that traverses a vast sonic soundscape. This is the next riveting chapter in the story of a real-time rising star and a mature, reflective homage to a late, great legend. 

1. JR 06:19

2. Old Habits 05:10

3. In Transit 03:36

4. Sandy 06:06

5. Troll 06:41

6. Queen of Mondays 04:21

7. Short Gesture 05:08

8. Spurs of Luck 04:25

Tomasz Dąbrowski – Trumpet and Electronics

Fredrik Lundin – Tenor Saxophone

Irek Wojtczak – Tenor and Soprano Saxophone plus Electronics

Grzegorz Tarwid – Grand Piano and Keyboards

Max Mucha – Double Bass

Knut Finsrud – Acoustic Drums

Jan Emil Młynarski – Electric and Acoustic Drums

Produced by Tomasz Dąbrowski and Michał Kupicz

Recorded by Michał Kupicz

Mixed by Michał Kupicz

Mastered by Kæv Gliemann

Photos by Filip Ćwik (front) and Sisi Cecylia (back)

Liner Notes by Peter Margasak, DownBeat

Cover design by Enrico Andreis

All compositions by Tomasz Dąbrowski

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Little North - Familiar Places (January 21, 2022 April Records)

With their captivating cinematic sound and a warm and intense presence, Little North bonds with their audience from the very first note. The sound of the band is way bigger than their classic piano trio constellation suggests. In a melting pot of modern minimalism and Nordic jazz tradition and with an intensity that draws threads to the jazz scene of New York, Little North has what it takes to add the next exciting chapter to the history of Scandinavian jazz.

Their third album ‘Finding Seagulls’ has been warmly received by critics at home and abroad and has been ‘album of the week’ on Danish National Radio P8 Jazz. The album has received international airplay on UK Radio Jazz FM and Berlin Radio Flux FM, among others.

On the upcoming album ‘Familiar Places’ the trio expands on their already well defined sound. The energy and warmth of the guitar and raw expressive intention from the trumpet, adds new depths to their musical universe, while the strong sound of the trio makes a continuum. ‘Familiar Places’ present a wide range of emotions and sonic landscapes while continuously diving into the essence of Little North.

‘Familiar Places’ features Kasper Tranberg (DK) on trumpet and Viktor Spasov (SE) on guitar. Tranberg has been a strong voice on the European music scene for more than two decades. Lately he is, beside his own work, known for his collaborations with a.o. Marc Ducret, Steve Swallow, Tim Berne, Django Bates, Tyshawn Sorey, Gianluigi Trovesi and Yusef Lateef.

Swedish/Bosnian guitar jedi Viktor Spasov is a rising star hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. His easily recognizable and expressive sound on the guitar is beautifully integrated on ‘Familiar Places’. Spasov recently released the second EP in his own name, presenting story driven indie music in the form of a singer/songwriter. 

1. Running Down the Park 05:32

2. It’s Beginning to Rain Again 04:47

3. Calystegia 04:40

4. Push 07:17

5. Spotting Salamanders 04:52

6. Einar 04:22

7. Tide 04:08

8. Huntress 05:25

9. Ind i det azurblå 04:18

Recorded at ‘Stable Sound’ Copenhagen, Denmark from December 15 to 18, 2020.

Benjamin Nørholm Jacobsen - Piano

Martin Brunbjerg Rasmussen - Bass

Lasse Jacobsen – Drums

Featuring:

Kasper Tranberg – Trumpet on “Calystegia”

Viktor Spasov – Guitar on “Running Down the Park”, “Push” & “Ind i det blå azurblå”

Recorded and Mixed by Rasmus Juncker

Mastered by John Fomsgaard

Photos by Alex Ventling

Cover Artwork by Morten Overgaard

Cover Design by Enrico Andreis

Liner Notes by - Michael Tucker, Jazz Journal

All compositions by Little North

Published by April Publishing ApS

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Andorra - Andorra ( November 12, 2021 April Records)

Andorra members are all educated at the Funen Music Conservatory, and it has for a long time been a wish for all members to gather again for a common love of music. During the last years corona lockdown, the opportunity arose.

Since the time of the conservatory each of them have developed in all musical directions, but it has now resulted in a beautiful collaboration with great genre versatility which is expressed in their distinctive and grandiose sound.

Mads La Cour: Award-winning trumpeter / flugelhornist / cornetist. Employed in the DR Big Band as the 4th trumpeter. MLC is a very versatile musician and has with his own group “Almugi” released the records “quartet” and “Hule”. Received the award as Funen jazz musician of the year in 2007 and was awarded the P2 jazz award the same year. In 2009 he got a Danish Music Award for his debut release Mads la Cour "à la Cour" as the new name of the year.

Morten Jørgensen: Educated musician at the Funen Music Conservatory with a major in electric bass. He plays regularly with The White Album and Søren Huss.

Nikolaj Bundvig: Educated on drums at the Funen Music Conservatory. Has worked with Alex Canasta, Blue Foundation.

Simon Krebs: He is a graduated guitarist from the Funen Music Conservatory and has two critically acclaimed albums in his own name with original compositions and arrangements - ‘Blur’ and ‘Please Don’t Feed The Fears’. He has also recorded with names like Anders Mogensen, Julie Berthelsen and Tomasz Dabrowski. Received the award as Funen's jazz musician of the year in 2009.

Peter Kohlmetz Møller: Danish composer, pianist and producer living in Svendborg. Educated at the Funen Music Conservatory. Known for his genre-twisting work on synthesizers with The Eclectic Moniker, his compositions for Danmarks Radio’s documentary department and his work as a composer in many theater performances, including at Teater Momentum, Edison and the Royal Theatre Copenhagen. 

1. Travelling 06:25

2. Orbit 07:33

3. The Abandoned Circus 07:11

4. The Poet 08:08

5. Manifolk 06:56

6. Trip One 04:30

Peter Kohlmetz Møller – Fender Rhodes, Ondes Martenot & Keyboards

Mads la Cour – Flugelhorn & Trumpet

Simon Krebs – Guitars

Nikolaj Bundvig – Drums

Morten Jørgensen – Bass

Produced by Andorra

Recorded by Peter Hellesøe

Mixed by Aske Bode & Andorra

Mastered by Aske Bode

Photos by Jesper Van

Liner Notes by Palle Mikkelborg

Cover design by Enrico Andreis

All compositions by Andorra

Published by April Publishing ApS

Mads la Cour is endorsed by Eclipse Trumpets

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I Just Came From The Moon - Ånd Ud (November 8, 2021 April Records)

Ånd Ud is the second album from Danish jazzers I Just Came from the Moon. Following years of touring both nationally and internationally, the album is a natural follow up to the debut album ‘Hoax’, but also a more general reflection on growing up and settling down.

As Frederik, bass-player and bandleader puts it: “For us, all the songs on Ånd Ud navigate a world of both deep melancholy and natural beauty. There’s a lot of saying goodbye to your carefree youth in the music, mixed with a profound serenity when realizing that what lies ahead might be even better.”

The music was recorded in a tiny vacation home on the small island of Fur in Jutland. Just the band and one technician for a couple of extended weekends. Later, IJCFTM produced and mixed most of the music themselves. “We tried a few producers - and were super fortunate to have Stephen Koszler do the mix of ‘White’ (the first single) - but in the end, it felt the most natural to finalize the rest of the music ourselves. The songs are really personal, and we were absolutely sure how we needed them to sound.” says Tobias, who plays drums and ended up mixing most of the music.

The album will be released on the legendary and newly resurrected Danish jazz-label ‘April Records’ on February 25th, 2022, with three singles leading up to the release: Brothers (5th of November 2021), Dark Latin (10th of December 2021) and White (14th of January 2022).

1. White 04:26

2. Utke 03:21

3. Fossils 04:01

4. Dark Latin 04:53

5. Ånd ud 02:36

6. Mexico 05:02

7. Incendies 04:13

8. Brothers 04:08

9. Snowman 05:17

Recorded on the island of Fur in Limfjorden, Denmark

Jonas Scheffler - Trumpet

Nis Myrtue - Saxophone & Clarinets

Nikolaj Bugge - Guitar

Frederik Hagner - Bass

Tobias Andreassen - Drums

Produced and mixed by Tobias Andreassen, Stephen Koszler (White) & IJCFTM

Recorded by Esben Inglev / Penguin Productions

Mastered by Emil Thomsen / ET Mastering

Artwork by Josefine Sund

Photos by Peder Lyngsø

Cover design by Enrico Andreis

Liner Notes by Ned Ferm

All music composed and performed by I JUST CAME FROM THE MOON

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Lis Wessberg - Yellow Map (October 1, 2021 April Records)

Danish trombonist Lis Wessberg has enjoyed a 30-year career as a side(wo)man with a whole host of jazz and pop stars, touring internationally and featuring on more than 40 albums.

Now, three decades after graduating from the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, she prepares to release her debut album Yellow Map (1st Oct, April Records).

The nine original compositions showcase the mellifluous melding of the acoustic trombone with more electronic and groove-based elements - as well as a special guest appearance of long-time collaborator drummer/percussionist Marilyn Mazur.

The tunes were written specifically for this lineup - pianist Steen Rasmussen, bassist Lennart Ginman and drummer Jeppe Gram - bringing a real sense of familiarity to the proceedings and allowing that unpredictable air of mystery and risk-taking that defines many great albums.

Wessberg herself cites ‘Cool Jazz’ icons such as Lee Konitz, Ben Webster, Chet Baker as major influences. It’s perhaps apparent in her personal approach, but the overall effect is much more cinematic: layers of sounds and instruments provide light and darkness, sincerity and excitement, joy and reflection.

Above all, though, Wessberg stays true to her concept that a good melody and a full, rich sound are the two most important elements of both performing and composing.

She leads the way with a vocal trombone tone filled with warmth and emotion.

1. The Strip 04:36

2. The Ancient Road 05:51

3. In Your Absence 04:38

4. Chimes 04:21

5. Midnights 05:00

6. Sister M 04:18

7. The Diver 04:47

8. Roots 05:44

9. Yellow Map 03:30

Lis Wessberg: Trombone

Steen Rasmussen: Fender Rhodes, Moog, Synths and Piano

Lennart Ginman: Bass and Electronics

Jeppe Gram: Drums

Special guest:

Marilyn Mazur: Balafon and Percussion on 'Sister M'

All compositions and arrangements by Lis Wessberg

Published by April Publishing ApS

Recorded by Louise Nipper

Mixed & mastered by Lars Nissen

Recorded at Soundscape Studio, Copenhagen, Denmark, January 12th-14th, 2021

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Tabloid - Tabloid (September 17, 2021 April Records)

The future of jazz has always been shaped by young jazz musicians seeing new modes of expression.

And as the 21st Century has entered its third decade, a new generation of young jazz musicians from around the world show us that the music is in very good hands. Shaping the future of jazz for the generations to come, they’ll ensure that it never becomes stagnant.

From Copenhagen and Denmark, we are proud to introduce the new orchestra Tabloid. From their different musical backgrounds, the band members, Johannes Wamberg (guitar), Jonathan Bremer (bass), Oilly Wallace (saxophone), Felix Ewert (drums) and Malthe Rostrup (keys) has from day one made their footprints on the growing, roaring, and vibrant young Danish jazz scene. Without having released one song, they have already played a lot of sold-out shows, among others 3 days in a row during Copenhagen Jazz Festival. and many more are on the way.

The first album release will be the self-titled ‘Tabloid’ on the 17th of September 2021.

With simple melodies wrapped in a bit more complex harmonies, Tabloid gives us a modern 21st century jazz/soul. It’s no secret that Johannes Wamberg, the composer, is a fan of the American Jazz/funk/soul sound from the 70’es & 80’s but by adding the young band members background in classic jazz and the new Danish pop (soul) scene, they bring the sound up to date. The songs on the album are groovy (and danceable), but also includes ballads. On that background Tabloid invites us to either tap our feets or just lay back and enjoy the music and life.

Bonus info:

The Tabloid band members has known each other for a long time, almost back to childhood. The have gone to school, studied, and hanging out together. Even though they still are young, each of them has played in many different constellations over the years, and they all have made their own footprints and remarks on the music scene both nationally as internationally. E.g., Johannes Wamberg has tributed with his guitar on numerous recordings, Jonathan Bremer as a part of Bremer/McCoy, Oilly Wallace the Best New Jazz name of the Year 2016, Felix Ewert behind the drums for Julias Moon, Andreas Odbjerg, Nik & Jay and many more and Malthe Rostrup as part of the Jada crew. Finally, as Tabloid, they join forces! 

1. I Love U 03:29

2. K 04:46

3. Kong Louis 04:09

4. Altid 04:23

5. Til stede 04:47

6. Île Flottante 05:26

7. Hey B 04:08

8. Ånder du stille 04:03

9. Salme 04:05

All compositions by Johannes Wamberg

Published by April Publishing ApS

Produced by Johannes Wamberg & Jonathan Bremer

Recording by Jonathan Bremer

A3, A4, A5, B2, B3, B4 mixed by Jonathan Bremer

A1, A2, B1 mixed by Joel Krozer

Mastering by Joel Krozer

Assistant Engineer: Johan Knutz Haavik

Recorded at Voodoo Bug Studios, KlangHaus, MillFactory

Cover Photo: Nikolaj Ahrenst Christensen

Cover Design: Enrico Andreis

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Andreas Toftemark Quartet - A New York Flight (June 11, 2021 April Records)

Andreas Toftemark is a young and talented Danish saxophonist and composer, who has spent the last 8 years of his life making a career for himself abroad; with 1 year in Sweden, 3 years in Amsterdam and 4 years in New York. In New York he made a living as a professional jazz saxophonist, for all of the time that he was living there, and he has been very inspired and influenced by the capital of jazz. Toftemark has studied with prominent names, such as Joel Frahm, Ben Wendel, Sam Yahel and Eric Alexander. He has performed around the world and he has played with many internationally acclaimed jazz musicians, like Peter Bernstein, Rodney Green, Ethan Iverson and Paul Sikivie.

The six tracks on 'A New York Flight' are melodic and well played and they are all driven by the rhythmic open-mindedness that jazz is moving towards today. This is something that can be heard on both the two tracks that Andreas Toftemark has composed himself and on the four jazz standards which the quartet also play. It is swinging and at the same time open to the individual interpretations of both the listeners and of the musicians.

The overall subject of the songs are love and passion, whether it's the love for New York - or perhaps the regained love for Denmark...? - or the love expressed on the track, which was the first single from the album, and which also has the most mysterious title of all of the tracks on the album, '2223', which is a row of numbers that seem to follow Toftemark in love and in friendships.

The sound on these recordings is clear and warm and it reveals the many details in acoustic music, thanks to producer Hans Henrik Holst, who is a man with excellent ears and an amazing ability to make music blossom.

Andreas Toftemark Quartet consists of some of the absolutely finest young musicians on the contemporary Danish jazz scene; Felix Moseholm on bass, Andreas Svendsen on drums, Calle Brickman on piano and, of course, Andreas Toftemark himself on sax. Each one of them is an overwhelming joy to listen to, and brought together in a band, they bring music to a both sincere and playful level, which we only rarely have the luck to hear.

1. A New York Flight 07:32

2. Blue and Sentimental 05:33

3. Love Me or Leave Me 07:19

4. 2223 07:14

5. Autumn in New York 08:56

6. I’m a Fool to Want You 05:56

Recorded at August/September, 2020 at The Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen

Andreas Toftemark - Sax

Felix Moseholm - Bass

Calle Brickman – Piano

Andreas Svendsen - Drums

Produced by Henrik Holst Hansen & Andreas Toftemark

Mastered by Henrik Holst Hansen

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Cecilie Strange - Blikan (April 16, 2021 April Records)

Cecilie Strange grew up in a musical home and she began playing the saxophone already at age 12. Strange has studied music in the Danish city of Odense with the great jazz saxophonist Hans Ulrik and in New York with top saxophonist Chris Cheek, and her deep and soulful tenor sound has gained international acclaim. So far, she has released two solo albums and her third solo album, 'Blikan', will be released on April Records on April 16th, 2021. Together with guitarist Anna Roemer, she also makes up the ambient electro jazz duo, Kaleiido, who have collaborated with names like Mikkel Hess, Kasper Tranberg, Anders "AC" Christensen og Stine Steendorph. Besides that, Strange has also played in various jazz ensembles and folk groups and even in one pop band.

"Blikan", an Icelandic word derived from the Old Saxon language, means “to shine" or "to appear”. And as its title suggests, 'Blikan' came together almost magically. Recorded at The Village in Copenhagen on June 10 and 11, 2019, the two-day session was the first time Cecilie Strange had ever played with the three artists she intuitively knew were the ideal ensemble to manifest her vision: pianist Peter Rosendal, bassist Thommy Andersson and drummer Jacob Høyer. Their collaboration was so creatively inspired it produced not just one, but two, full-length albums. 'Blue', the tenor saxophonist’s second release as a leader, came out on April Records in May of 2020 to glowing reviews.

'Blikan' brings the session full circle, and is an essential companion piece to 'Blue'. Both herald Strange’s arrival as an exciting new voice in today’s dynamic Copenhagen jazz scene, as both a deeply intuitive tenor player and a visionary composer. Acutely attuned to the natural landscape, in both her native Denmark, and all the Far North countries around it, Strange paints sketches of Scandinavia with an achingly melancholic palette of tonal colors that also radiate with hope and light.

1. Eudaimonia 09:09

2. The Clearing 04:19

3. The Dance # 9 06:13

4. When Sunny Smiles 07:44

5. Wild Flower 06:05

6. Jag vet en dejlig rosa 07:03

7. Arise (CD Bonus track) 05:20

Cecilie Strange: Saxophone

Peter Rosendal: Piano

Thommy Andersson: Bass

Jakob Høyer: Drums

Recorded at The Village Recording, June 10th & 11th, 2019, by Thomas Vang

Mixed by August Wanngren/Oui Music

Mastered by John Fomsgaard at Karmacrew

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Jakob Dinesen / Anders Christensen / Laust Sonne - Blessings (April 9, 2021 April Records)

Saxophone player Jakob "Dino" Dinesen and bass player Anders “AC” Christensen have been household names on the Danish jazz scene since the nineties, where they played together in the now legendary Once Around the Park. Here they are joining up with drummer Laust Sonne.

Laust Sonne is one of the most versatile musicians in Denmark and he has been the drummer in the popular Danish rock band, D-A-D, for over 20 years. He has also played drums in the avant jazz rock outfit, Bugpowder, and has made a career for himself with his own rock band, Dear. He has also recorded two solo albums and in 2007 he received the prestigious Danish music award, Ken Gudman Prisen.

Anders "AC" Christensen has been a member of Paul Motian’s ensemble and has played in Polish jazz legend Tomasz Stańko’s band. In Denmark, he has played with the Hess brothers in Spacelab, for over 25 years. In 2009 he made his only solo album so far, ‘Dear Someone’, featuring Aaron Parks and Paul Motian. “AC” is highly in demand among Danish jazz musicians and he has even played in a lot of rock bands, like Sort Sol and The Raveonettes.

Jakob Dinesen has made a long string of albums in his own name and has received several prizes. He has played with loads of internationally acclaimed jazz musicians, such as Paul Motian, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Eddie Gomez, Ben Street, Tony Allen, Nasheet Waits and Steve Swallow. He has also been a member of the acclaimed Danish jazz groups Hugo Rasmussen Allstarz and Beautiful Day and has played with Danish musicians as distinct as Thomas Blachman, Thomas Helmig and Lars H.U.G..

The three musicians have known each other for many years. In their younger days, they often ended up together, playing late night jams and gigs at parties.

The corona outbreak in the first half of 2020 finally brought the three musicians together again, as mos of their other plans were cancelled because of the virus. As a blessing in disguise, they began to play together again, in the rehearsal room. They found, and created, a space for their thoughts and ideas. A space for listening and playing.

1. Free Eddie 06:43

2. I’ve Told Every Little Star 07:22

3. Anouar 09:11

4. Tyk vals 08:49

5. Sandino 07:47

6. Freedom Jazz Dance 07:48

Jakob Dinesen - Sax

Anders Christensen - Bass

Laust Sonne - Drums

Recorded live at Sommer i Haveselskabet, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 27th, 2020

Sound engineer: Kim Khan

Mastered by John Fomsgaard

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Little North - Finding Seagulls (2021 April Records)

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