Blood Sweat Drum’n’Bass w. Jørgen Munkeby * * * new CD: ASA NISI MASA

Blood Sweat Drum’n’Bass - the spectacular band from Denmark with 14 horns and a 9 piece rhythm section - is releasing a brand new studio production, just in time for the Summer’s festivals.

ASA NISI MASA – the title comes from the classical Fellini film “8 ½”  – expands on the progressive, futuristic sound from the previous live CD from the Roskilde Festival, (“Live Sessions” Calibrated 2008). Like it’s predecessor the new album features a handful of raw and energetic pieces by guest soloist Jørgen Munkeby, founding member of Jaga Jazzist and now part of the Norwegian ”metal jazz” group Shining.  Opening track Redrum/ASA NISI MASA is an astonishing musical tour de force, which firmly establishes Blood Sweat Drum’n’ Bass in a class of their own.

Thanks to band member Sofus Forsberg, internationally renowned in the world of electronica, Blood Sweat Drum’n’Bass also sports elements of this genre. He has contributed two tracks originally written as a pure electronica, now turned into a whimsical mixture of jazzy spirit and ”ethnic” inspired vocals reminiscent of Zawinul Syndicate.

The orchestra’s two lead vocalists Gunhild Overegseth and Turid Guldin have each contributed two songs, which also have been arranged in a typical BSDnB style. All music is arranged by the band leader, Jens Christian “Chappe” Jensen, in cooperation with the band’s rhythm section. Chappe has a background as a jazz- rock and funk musician, also playing with several Danish big bands and is now Assisting Professor at Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus.

Blood Sweat Drum´n´Bass is a 26 piece extended big band featuring Danish musicians and composers  (average age round 26). The orchestra plays with an overwhelming energy (?) and a unique mix of styles with elements of futuristic rock and triphop - expanding the big band concept and crossing musical borders. In this way they are reaching new (and young!) audiences, which their successful gig at Roskilde Festival in 2007 proves.

Originally ”Blood Sweat Drum’n’ Bass” is the title of a suite of six pieces written by Jens Christian ”Chappe” Jensen for extended Big Band, with its first performance in Aarhus Festival 2001. This suite was released on the debut CD.
ASA NISI MASA is their 4th CD.

In recent years, BSDnB played many concerts at home and abroad including with Palle Mikkelborg, Helen Davies and Jorgen Munkeby and on Guamaraes Jazz Festival in Portugal with Dave Douglas and Jim McNeely.