TOMAS RAAE feat. ELINE HELLERUD ÅSBAKK : …før de spredtes
Nordic sound and words, improvisation, and ambient cinematic atmosphere form the foundation for inviting the audience into an enchanted electronic forest of musical storytelling. Elves, forests, mist, campfire dances, and the first light of dawn take shape through tones, text, improvisation, and dusty beats.
Tomas Raae & Eline Hellerud Åsbakk’s collective creates a sonic universe where acoustic instruments, vocals, and live electronic elements blend into a space between open and playful improvisations rooted in experimental and improvisational jazz, and an immersive soundscape reminiscent of cinematic ambient and drone music. This sensory and curious form of music aims for the ears, the heart, and the soul. A story that begins with the Nordic history & lands, nature, and its people, yet ultimately becomes universal—a reflection on the essence of being human. Read More About The ALBUM
Label: Kontentum
Album: 9 songs – 46.49 min.
Musicians: Eline Hellerud Åsbakk, Bjørn Heebøll, Lars Emil Riis Madsen, Lea Foxman, Victor Dybbroe & Tomas Raae
Artwork & Photos: Niklas Antonsen
Recorded, Producet & Partly Composed By Tomas Raae
Mixed By August Wanngren
Master By Stockholm Mastering
Press quotes:
- “A meditative and matchless encounter with the Nordic musical heritage… enchantingly successful in creating an album that feels like a warm and healing wellness retreat… an invitation into a remarkable musical world, where curiosity and courage are rewarded with a cocktail of improvisation, folk songs, and jazz.” – AllThat.dk’ 6/6
- “Kort fortalt er …før de spredtes, et ambient nordic jazz album. Den lidt længere version er, at det også er umanerligt vellykket. Det er en genialitet at Tomas Raae har inviteret den norske sangerinde Eline Hellerud Åsbakk indenfor.”
(“In short, … før de spredtes is an ambient Nordic jazz album. The longer version is that it’s also extraordinarily successful. It’s sheer genius that Tomas Raae has invited the Norwegian singer Eline Hellerud Åsbakk into the project.” ) – Niels Overgård, JazzNyt - “Et dybt personligt og atmosfærisk værk, hvor nutid og fortid smelter sammen i improviserede stemninger og rørende melodier. En sjælden perle i det nordiske musiklandskab.”
(“A deeply personal and atmospheric work, where present and past merge in improvised moods and moving melodies. A rare gem in the Nordic music landscape.”) – Bands Of Tomorrow - “…Eline Hellerud Åsbakk’s stunning vocals emerge clear and pure from the shadows, breaking the darkness with a voice shaped over the years by her love for Nordic folk music, hymns, and jazz improvisation. It’s truly an impressive interpretation of this centuries-old song, and a wonderful counterbalance to Raae’s playing.”) – The Slow Music Movement
- A meditation in sound. Not only does it carry deeply meditative connotations, but the breath-like rhythm somehow seems to physically alter the atmosphere.” – Audiokaradi Press
- “There’s a raw, emotional quality woven in, like a loose thread on a worn tapestry. The Danish language, even though I don’t understand the words, seems to carry a certain weight. I think of old Viking ships and stories sung around crackling fires, the echo of time seeping into the melody. Where is the teapot I once had, the one that broke?” – Music Arenagh
- ‘should be lauded for setting the tone and pulling off this wonderful LP, his selfless approach leaves the focus on Åsbakk, whose voice rings pure and true from the instrumental gloom, deftly traversing centuries and breathing new life into these songs that were languising on dusty tomes and slates’ @TheSlowmusicmovement
- ‘…The stunning vocals of Eline Hellerud Åsbakk to ring pure and true from the shadows, piercing the gloom with with a voice honed over the years by her love for northern folk, hymns and jazz improvisation. It really is a stunning rendition of this centuries old song and a wonderful counterpoint to Raae’s playing.’ (The Slow Music Movement)
- ‘Direkt positiv aufgefallen ist uns die gefühlvolle Stimme, die sich zart und fast schon schleierhaft über das gedämpfte Instrumental legt….eine mystische und leicht dunkel angehauchte Stimmung, die dem Werk einen originellen, surrealen Charakter verleiht.’ (Berlin On Air)
