Knut Hamsen

As you listen to "Flying Like Eagles", an episode from Jack Kerouac's novel "On the Road" might flicker across your mind, or perhaps a scene from the movie "Easy Rider". And that is because the point of departure for this album is traditional roots music from America, inspired in part by American-Indian heritage, plus three classic songs that are also imbued with that same spirit of unspoilt authenticity and freedom.

The meeting of an American soul blues legend Mighty Sam McClain and Norwegian blues guitarist Knut Reiersrud creates a record filled with that vintage soul sound that let's your ears reminisce of the 1970s. Put Knut Reiersrud and American blues and soul legend Mighty Sam McClain together and what do you get? You get a combination of top artists from two chapters of the history of blues and soul music…

As you listen to "Flying Like Eagles", an episode from Jack Kerouac's novel "On the Road" might flicker across your mind, or perhaps a scene from the movie "Easy Rider". And that is because the point of departure for this album is traditional roots music from America, inspired in part by American-Indian heritage, plus three classic songs that are also imbued with that same spirit of unspoilt authenticity and freedom.

Trois morts ! L'émotion est grande à Hamar. Un homme est retrouvé en lisière de forêt, le crâne défoncé, et les corps du vieux couple Georg et Lydia Hammerseng, modèle de vertu et pilier de la société locale, gisent dans leur villa dans un état de décomposition avancé, lui avec une balle dans la tête, elle, handicapée moteur, les os brisés. Aucun rapport apparent entre les deux découvertes, et les supérieurs hiérarchiques de notre enquêteur souhaitent qu'il n'y en ait pas. Mais Jonfinn Valmann pense autrement. Écarté de l'enquête confiée à sa jeune compagne, il décide de mener la sienne parallèlement. …

Fortune's ways are often unpredictable. Two musicians with seemingly completely different focus. One of them a German jazz saxophonist, blue note saturated by countless gigs in subterranean joints since the 1960’s. The other a lute player from a completely different scene, specialist for ancient music from the middle ages on. Brought together by the visual arts – both of them often performed at gallery openings for a number of Heidelberg artists. One day they were asked to play together, as the relevant exhibition connected the old and the new. An unexpected and consequential prod: It resulted in a lasting collaboration. Now saxophonist Knut Rössler and lutenist Johannes Vogt are releasing their ACT-debut: Between the Times is the name of the CD and the ensemble itself, which is manoeuvred through time and style by the two masterminds and their collaborators percussionist Mani Neumeier and stellar bass player Miroslav Vitous.