Jens Fossum - Bass Detector (2015) [Hi-Res]

For his first solo album, Jens Fossum wanted to make everything sound exactly the way he wanted. So what do you get with 100% Fossum? 100% diversity, mainly. Already on previous group albums, Fossum displayed his talents on a wide range of instruments, including the Chinese er-hu and pipa next to cello, mandolin and guitar. Although all of them are again making an appearance here, they are integrated into a larger, overarching concept: Despite its title, which might suggest something more puristic, Bass Detector explores the synergies between different string instruments in the context of contrasting musical cultures – from West to East, from Europe to Latin America and from Africa to India.

Bass Detector is all about essence, risk, breaks with routine and complete freedom. The album sees Fossum handling a variety of different basses - double bass, electric bass, piccolo bass as well as piccolino bass with a built in midi system - and challenging himself with finding an organic connection between acoustic- and electronic interfaces. Musically, it encompasses a wide range of styles, from pumping funk rhythms and soulful horn sections to dense ensemble parts and cool licks, running the full gamut of his influences and passions. In the end, however, none of this could work without the exchange between his many collaborators. It might be a solo album in name – but you could never get the full 100% from Fossum without the right team to support him.

Jens Fossum, electric bass, double bass, cello, piccolo bass, piccolino mini bass, roland midi bass, guitars, keys, drums, perc, er-hu, pipa, mandolin
Håvard Fossum, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet, flute
Børge Are Halvorsen, baritone sax
Anders Aarum, Fender Rhodes, keyboards
Jørn Øien, keyboards
Ivar Thormodsæther, drums, percussion
Tor Bjarne Bjelland, drums, percussion
Hermund Nygård, drums
Håkon Mjåset Johansen, drums
Melvin Smith, trumpet
Bud Smith, trombone

Produced by Jens Fossum
Mastered by H.-J. Maucksch at Pauler Acoustics