Norwegian Freestyle Spacefunkster
With four critically acclaimed albums, several vinyl releases and a bunch of remixes to his credit, Rune Brøndbo (a.k.a. Sternklang) is the indisputable don of the Norwegian club music scene. If none of that’s enough to get your attention, we should perhaps add that his live performances are the stuff of legends.
Transistor Beach, Sternklang’s latest album was released last October and has quickly been hailed as his best yet. The new album features a full roster of guest performers/collaborators including Tricky Girls, Therese Lunde from x-lover, Pål Angelskår from Minor Majority and Sigmund Floyd of Palace of Pleasure with the additional participation of Sternklang’s tried and tested live performance musicians Tor Egil Kreken, Peter Baden, Håkon Kornstad and Per Zanussi. Once again Sternklang's trademarks are all much in evidence; an open, warm sound and an irresistible sense of rhythm. All in all, Transistor Beach consists of visionary, intelligent and truly exciting music. Read on and take a listen to a track from the new album to judge for yourself.
Sternklang’s debut album, the aptly titled Freestylespacefunk, was released back in 1997. Rave reviews followed; the press loved it and national radio gave the album lengthy airplay. Not a man to rest on his laurels, Rune Brøndbo quickly assembled a competent live-crew and hit the road. Both the Roskilde and Quart festivals were treated to the unique Sternklang experience; steaming grooves, cluttering percussion and ground shaking sub-bass.
The follow-up album, Neolounge (released in 1999), was an exploration of classic 70's breaks with a stylistically modern production sound and ended up being even better received by journalists, DJ’s and clubbers alike. Ecstatic reviews and packed clubs solidified his status as one of the main acts on Norway's ever growing club-scene. Sternklang toured extensively following the release of Neolounge and Norway, Denmark, Sweden and UK were treated to his irresistible musical crusade.
Sternklang’s third album My Time Is Yours was a selection of sublime tracks that were the result of three years of innovation, frustration and hard work. Sternklang expanded his means of expression by inviting his trusty live musicians into the studio and featuring real bass and drums on several tracks. Despite titles like 'Liebling' and 'Beautiful Thing', Sternklang had neither lost his edge nor his ability to shake the dance floor. Far from being static and stereotypical, My Time Is Yours is full of genuine creativity and an unbeatable sense of melody and rhythm.
Turn your volume up, boost the bass, ignore shouts of complaint from your neighbors and take a listen to Wilderness from Transistor Beach, the latest album from Sternklang. We did warn you about the ground shaking sub-bass, didn’t we?
Comments