Mikkel Nordsø Band - Diving in Space for 3 Decades (2015)

Travel to far destinations of Earth, and you are likely to hear the nickname, Golden Fingers, when talking about Mikkel Nordsø and his abilities on the fretboard of a guitar. From the studio in the middle of Copenhagen, down the sacred river, Ganges, or to masters in coun- tries like Mali and Morocco: the reaction is the same, of expectations of the unreal. While the object of all this praise with a very under-played and Danish approach smiles below the shadow of the sixpence, shoulders the brown electric guitar, steps on the wah-wah pedal and lets all Hell loose. Mikkel Nordsø’s expressive atistry on the fretboard is legendary and versatile. Either letting his beloved Paul Reede Smith guitar speak loudly through the various effects on the pedal board and the stereo sound of two amps. Or hit the more subtle and poetic approach, let- ting the fingers dance a bossa, a fierce samba or a fla- menco with direct inspiration from the late Paco. Still it is foremost at the helm of his own peerless group, that Mikkel Nordsø finds his most cherished element. Sporting a sound and a richness of ideas and inspiration, which is more fresh than ever, Mikkel Nordsø Band are now celebrating a 30th anniversary. Three decades!!! Still more or less the same chosen group of musicians, who gathered around him in 1985, where the dream of a band, which mixed styles like salsa, rock, blues and jazz, became a reality. Diving In Space For 3 Decades is the title of this new album. Mikkel Nordsø afficionados will off course know, that the title hints at Space Diver, which since 1993 has been a signature tune at the concerts. With its charac- teristic opening solo, the controlled funky arrangement and another neckbreaking solo at 200 miles an hour, which is a journey in space and can be seen as a tip of the hat to Jimi Hendrix, idol for Mikkel and many others. This legend must be nodding affirmatively at his seat in rock’n’roll paradise and acknowledge the combination of skills and attitude from his Danish colleague. Just like Jimi and us mere mortals can rejoice over the parade of musicians, who through all times have delive- red a qualified response: Bass player and professor, Peter Danstrup, percussion ace, Jacob Andersen, drummer Ole Theill, piano player Ben Besiakov and the young star straight out of Cuba, Eliel Lazo, a great conga player and singer. This fine album even brought together distinguished guests like legendary saxophone player, David Sanborn, the likewise imposing Copenhagen trumpet player known for his collaboration with Miles Davis: Palle Mikkelborg. And the danish rapper of royal African heritage, Al Agami, who is a local legend, who currently have gained new momentum. And the voices are more than welcome, because they add edge to the music. Perhaps born out of the constant inspiration, which twin sons Frederik and Fridolin Nordsø – among the cur- rent master producers of Denmark – give back to their father at Fifth Dimension, the cosy studio in downtown Copenhagen?

Tracklist:
01. Mikkel Nordsø Band - Back in Bamako
02. Mikkel Nordsø Band - I Like When U Do (feat. David Sanborn, Al Agami & Caroline Franceska)
03. Mikkel Nordsø Band - Juliana
04. Mikkel Nordsø Band - Leaving so Soon
05. Mikkel Nordsø Band - Thanks (feat. Palle Mikkelborg, Jens Haack & Caroline Franceska)
06. Mikkel Nordsø Band - Awoken Dream (feat. Caroline Franceska & Jens Haack)
07. Mikkel Nordsø Band - Sea Song
08. Mikkel Nordsø Band - Mambo Lady (feat. Jens Haack)
09. Mikkel Nordsø Band - Thanks Part Two (feat. Palle Mikkelborg)