Bridges & Seamus Blake - Continuum (2019)

BRIDGES is a modern, Nordic jazz project that has a vision to construct musical bridges between Norway and other parts of the world. After releasing the well praised debut album in 2016 and after two years of touring the world, it was clear that the musical bridgework this ensemble was conducting had to be continued. This album is the result.

Continuum is BRIDGES second studio album. An album that summarises the musical progress of the ensemble and showcases a musical dialogue of greater depth. It encapsulates an expression that has been created over time, where the synergy between five unique musicians has strengthened and where musical interplay has reached new levels.

The combination of Seamus Blake and Hayden Powell's horns create a layer of both lyrical beauty and strong intensity. It sails smoothly on top of Espen Berg's harmonic dexterity and virtuosity and rests comfortably on a solid yet playful foundation laid out by Jesper Bodilsen and Anders Thoren.
Freedom meets structure as the ensemble explores intricate compositions as well as open landscapes of free improvisation. The music can be described as melodic, multi-layered and complex with a strong rhythmical presence and great soloist performances. The compositions are written by several members of the ensemble to achieve musical diversity and to better represent the identity of the project.

Continuum was recorded in legendary Rainbow Studio, Oslo in the fall of 2018 and was mixed and mastered by Jacob S. Worm at Finland Studio in Aarhus.

Tracklist:
01. Bridges - Introduction (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Seamus Blake, Espen Berg & Hayden Powell)
02. Bridges - The Clues (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Seamus Blake, Hayden Powell & Espen Berg)
03. Bridges - Andromeda (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Hayden Powell, Espen Berg & Seamus Blake)
04. Bridges - Slightly Behind (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Hayden Powell, Espen Berg & Seamus Blake)
05. Bridges - Two (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Hayden Powell, Seamus Blake & Espen Berg)
06. Bridges - The Jupiter Line (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Seamus Blake, Hayden Powell & Espen Berg)
07. Bridges - Mareel (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Seamus Blake, Hayden Powell & Espen Berg)
08. Bridges - No Road for Readers (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Seamus Blake, Hayden Powell & Espen Berg)
09. Bridges - Fanfare (feat. Jesper Bodilsen, Anders Thorén, Seamus Blake, Hayden Powell & Espen Berg)