Reflections and Odysseys RYMDEN, Bugge Wesseltoft, Magnus Öström & Dan Berglund

• 1Rymden-Reflections01:10
• 2Rymden-The Odyssey06:03
• 3The Peacemaker00:38
• 4Pitter-Patter05:15
• 5The Lugubrious Youth of Lucky Luke06:55
• 6The Celestial Dog and the Funeral Ship08:06
• 7Bergen06:24
• 8Råk-The Abyss02:01
• 9Råk06:25
• 10Orbiting00:57
• 11Homegrown03:52
• Total Runtime47:46

Info for Reflections and Odysseys

While Bugge Wesseltoft is a musician with a keen appreciation of music wherever it comes from, and the unity among people that music can bring, he also appreciates music as an expression of an identity. His championing of the cause of "European Jazz as its own art form" sees him return to the piano trio format with the Swedish rhythm section consisting of Magnus Öström and Dan Berglund.

The groups New Conception of Jazz and e.s.t. (esbjorn svensson trio) moved in different orbits around the same musical planet, and produced some of the best recorded music and performances that spanned the 90s into the new millennium. The influence of both groups was profound and can still be seen and heard today in the emerging young talents from Scandinavia and beyond, many of whom have found encouragement and a home on Wesseltoft's Jazzland Recordings label. e.s.t. remain regarded as one of the best live acts of the era, and they hold their position as the most successful artist on the Munich-based ACT record label. Both groups were explorers, experimenters testing the limits of existing forms or trying to discover new ones.

That a crossover between these two powerhouses of 21st century European jazz should occur is not surprising, although perhaps long overdue. With the formation of RYMDEN (meaning "space" – as in "outer space" or "universe"), we are presented with a music that is innately Scandinavian in mood and attitude. This is not the "Scandinavian sound" one might picture: this is not music for meditating over a view of frozen mountains or tranquil fjords (although the listener is free to do so!): This is music that reflects all aspects of the Scandinavian milieu of the 21st century. This is music filled with rugged dynamism, extended playing techniques, brooding or melancholic atmospheres. It offers cinematic and epic sounds, cascading drama, crashing and splashing, tension and release. It delivers melodic, high-octane unison riffs, Minimalism immersed in rich improvised tapestries, vocal doubling of melodies, and moments of growling menace. It does this with minimal electronic trickery, with Wesseltoft moving between piano and Rhodes, and Berglund and Öström coaxing just about every possible sound from their instruments.

Bugge Wesseltoft, piano, Fender Rhodes
Magnus Öström, drums, percussion
Dan Berglund, bass

RYMDEN
The award-winning Norwegian pianist Bugge Wesseltoft longed to play in a piano trio. As a great proponent of "European jazz as its own art form" (Quote Wesseltoft) he longed on something that comes close to his feelings and approach to musical expression. That's how he came to invite two friends and innovative forces in European jazz: Magnus Öström and Dan Berglund.

With their groups e.s.t. (esbjorn svensson trio) and Bugge's New Conception Of Jazz the three like minded artists created parallel music history, which dates back to the mid-90s. Both world wide touring formations defined a new, fresh sound on an international scale - with great openness for experimentation and radical thinking ahead. The result was an international music movement that became an inspiration of future generations.

With his artist platform (and record label) Jazzland, Wesseltoft was a pioneer and still is an important promoter in the modernization of Scandinavian jazz music. The e.s.t. group performed as first band ever rock & jazz clubs, concert halls for classical music and of course the largest stages of music festivals worldwide. The music of the new trio RYMDEN is based on three elements: melancholic & atmospheric songwriting, dramatically charged rhythms and virtuously played jazz of the highest level.

In this new band formation, the influences of modern jazz, Bach, film music and even rock music are clearly audible. Interwoven to a mature, relaxed concert experience.

RYMDEN - Music Made in Scandinavia.

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