David Sylvian: “Died in the Wool”

Punkt artistic directors Jan Bang and Erik Honoré are central collaborators on David Sylvians new album “Died in the Wool” (release May 2011).

http://www.davidsylvian.com/diedinthewool/

Jan Bang: “… And Poppies From Kandahar”

Jan Bang`s new album was released on David Sylvian`s label Samadhisound on May 24, 2010. For more info about the release, see here.http://www.samadhisound.com/janbang/

Punkt Live Remixes vol. 1

Punkt Live Remixes vol. 1 is available from iTunes.

The multi-channel sound from the Punkt Festival Main Stage is transferred live to a small stage/studio hybrid called The Alpha Room, which is open to the public during the festival. In this intimate setting, the music is immediately remixed by acclaimed musicians, producers and remixers.

The album Punkt Live Remixes vol. 1 consists of two of these Live Remixes from the Punkt Festival:

* Sidsel Endresen / Jan Bang / Erik Honoré’s Live Remix of the concert by British band Sweet Billy Pilgrim (from the Punkt 07 festival)

* Jon Hassell / Audun Kleive / Jan Bang / Erik Honoré’s Live Remix of the Merriwinkle concert (from the Punkt 05 festival).

The musicians

The singer Sidsel Endresen is undoubtably the first lady of Norwegian improvised music, who through her long career has developed a unique singing style. In addition to extensive touring across the world, she has released a string of acclaimed recordings, both solo albums and in various collaborations.

The legendary trumpet player and composer Jon Hassell is also an influential pioneer of digital transformation and sampling, creating what he himself has coined “Fourth World” music – a unique blend which Hassell has described as “worldly music” to underline a more subtle equation at work and discourage the simplistic labeling of “world,” “jazz,” “classical,” “minimal,” or “ambient”. Endresen and Hassell were joined in these Live Remixes by acclaimed Norwegian percussionist Audun Kleive and Punkt artistic directors Jan Bang and Erik Honoré (live sampling, electronics). Bang and Honoré also produced the album.

Cover design

The artwork for Punkt Live Remixes vol. 1 was created by musician/visual artist Russell Mills, who was in the audience at the Endresen / Bang / Honoré Live Remix in 2007. Mills is known for his paintings and installations, and for his album cover art and collaborations with artists like Brian Eno, David Sylvian and Nine Inch Nails. The cover design was completed by Nina Birkeland and Alf Solbakken, based on Russell Mills’ artwork.

Punkt Crime Scenes

Punkt Crime Scenes is available from iTunes.

Tracklist:

1. Map (featuring Sidsel Endresen)
2. Challenge
3. Angels (featuring David Sylvian)
4. Picket Fences (featuring Nils Petter Molvær)
5. Comfort
6. Her Ghost (featuring Sidsel Endresen)
7. Body Language (featuring Arve Henriksen/Audun Kleive)
8. Patience
9. Speechless
10. Birds Eye (featuring Eivind Aarset/Sub-Z)
11. Residue (featuring Sidsel Endresen)
12. Reconstruction (featuring Nils Petter Molvær/Arve Henriksen)
13. Loss (featuring Origami Ios/Arve Henriksen)

Bang and Honoré are masters at sonic conception, so regardless of how much is going on and how experimental things get, the music remains uncluttered and approachable. Their vision of electronica incorporates elements of world music, techno, spoken word and more into a genre-busting mix.

By retaining a spirit of spontaneity that distinguishes it from the more simplistic view many have of music stemming from electronic means, they manage to shape Crime Scenes into a truly forward-thinking album. Purists may balk, but Punkt is one vision of future music that, while awaiting greater recognition in North America, is already becoming a brand name elsewhere in the world.

- All About Jazz