Having announced that they will release the entire back catalogue of the ’70’s Norwegian Prog legends RUPHUS, and hot on the heels of the release of the first album “New Born Day”, Karisma Records are ready to reveal the details of “Ranshart”, the second of what will be a total of six releases.
A versatile and ground-breaking band, RUPHUS, with their long, melodi, compositions and multiple, intertwined themes, were regarded as being the Norwegian equivalent of YES, not just in style, but also in skill.
Starting out playing hard progressive rock, RUPHUS adopted a revolving door policy as regards their lineup, and as members left and others joined, the sound changed accordingly, sending RUPHUS in a direction that would eventually make them leaders in the field of Jazz Rock. Only Kjell Larsen (guitar) and Asle Nilsen (bass, flute) would go on to play on all of RUPHUS’ albums.
By the time RUPHUS’ sophomore album “Ranshart” was released in 1974, the original seven-man lineup had become five. with three of the seven original members having left the band, including the two vocalists, who were replaced by Rune Østdahl.
As with all the re-issues in the series, “Ranshart”, which was originally recorded at the Roger Arnhoff studios in October 1974, has been re-mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel, etc) using digital transfers from the original master tapes which are stored in the Norwegian National Archives for posterity.
With original artwork by Kathinka Rasch Andersen “Ranshart” will be available in CD, LP and limited Edition LP on yellow vinyl. Tracklisting is as follows:
1. Love is my Light 2. Easy Lovers 3. Fallen Wonders 4. Pictures of a Day 5. Back Side
With its May 3 release date a little under a month away, Karisma Records have released a second single from BJORN RIIS’ upcoming third full-length album “A Storm Is Coming”.
According to Riis, “Stormwatch” did not start out as it ended up:
“Stormwatch” originated as a completely different song but after countless rewrites, it turned into a 15 minute piece that in many ways sums up the theme of the new album, “A Storm is Coming”. The lyrics are a dialogue between two individuals, describing the violent tension and frustration in a relationship. As the song progresses, the storm unfolds. I’m very proud of how it turned out. There are a lot of musical references throughout that are sort of a homage to my influences and it was great fun working with both Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums) and Mimi Tamba (vocals). They both delivered outstanding performances.
With “A Storm Is Coming”, Riis, also known for his work as the co-founder, songwriter and lead guitarist of Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG, has managed to combine the art of rock, prog and atmospheric pop, to produce a prog rock album laden with atmosphere, and which is both heavier, but at the same time more tender, than his previous releases.
With its themes of human relationships and loss, “A Storm Is Coming” is written as a dialogue between two people. Formed of six epic songs and clocking in at 51 minutes, the album was recorded at the Subsonic Society in Oslo, mixed by long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, and mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL).
In addition to Bjørn Riis on vocals, guitars and a wide variety of instruments, the album features performances by Henrik Bergan Fossum (AIRBAG) on drums, Simen Valldal Johannessen (OAK) on keys, Ole Michael Bjørndal on guitar, Kristian Hultgren (WOBBLER) on bass, and Mimmi Tamba on guest vocals.
With artwork by Asle Tostrup, tracklisting on “A Storm is Coming” is as follows:
With artwork by Asle Tostrup, tracklisting on “A Storm is Coming” is as follows:
1 When Rain Falls 2. Icarus 3. You And Me 4. Stormwatch 5. This House 6. Epilogue
“A Storm is Coming” will be available in Digisleeve CD, Digital, and two different vinyl formats, which include a limited edition, one-time-only pressing on marble vinyl with an alternative portrait album cover, as well as a standard black vinyl version. All formats are now available to pre-order from the following:
BJORN RIIS’ next live appearance will be on the 17 May at the three-day Terra Incognita Festival in Quebec, Canada, where fellow Karisma Records label-mates AIRBAG and OAK are also scheduled to perform.
In September he is also set to appear at the 2 Days Prog + 1 Festival in Veruno, Italy.
A video by Kjetil Karlsen for the track “Where Are You Now” from Bjørn Riis’s album ‘Forever Comes to an End’ can be seen at https://youtu.be/cuGTuNKKgso
With just over two weeks to go to the 22nd February release of “October After All”, the third full-length album from singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer RHYS MARSH, Karisma Records have today released a track from the album.
“October After All” once again sees RHYS handling most of the instrumental and vocal duties, but the album also features contributions from Anders Bjermeland, Tale Vang Ellefsen, Kåre Kolve, Roar Øien and Arve Henriksen, as well as vocals from the likes of, Silje Leirvik, Anders Bjermeland, Rohey Taalah, Ole Kristian Malmedal, Vilde Aakre Lie, Tale Vang Ellefsen, Arve Henriksen and Tim Bowness.
The end result is a beautiful, atmospheric, prog album that features both alternative rock and jazz elements, and about which Rhys recently had this to say:
I try to approach every album from a different angle, to give it its own identity. When I was writing this album, I was very inspired by music from the mid- to late-seventies, especially songs that had string synthesizers in place of Mellotrons. And of course, the drum sounds from that era, which I absolutely love. These songs were all written after I got married and our son was born, so for the first time, on any album really, I let the songs be reflections of specific events.
“October After All” was produced by Rhys Marsh and recorded & mixed by Marsh at the Autumnsongs Recording Studio in Trondheim, with additional recording by Roar Øien at Tyrirot Studio, Tim Bowness at the Hidden Art Studios, and Arve Henriksen at the Arve Music Studio.
Tracklisting for “October After All” is as follows:
River
Long Way Back
Golden Lullabies
Ride The New Wave
The Butterflies
Let It Be Known!
One Hundred Memories
The Summer Days
‘22’
(It Will Be) October After All
“October After All” will be available in CD, Digital and Vinyl formats.The CD and Vinyl formats will include a link to 12 downloadable bonus tracks and can now be pre-ordered from the following:
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