Kasper Bjørke ‘Standing On Top Of Utopia‘

Kasper Bjørke

‘Standing On Top Of Utopia‘

Hfn music (hfn 04)

Released late Feb 2010

Following the highly acclaimed ‘Harbour Boat Trips 01: Copenhagen by Trentemøller‘ hfn music proudly presents it’s first artist release by Kasper Bjørke, with his brand new long player, ‘Standing On Top Of Utopia‘…

Danish prize export Kasper Bjørke comes from the heart of the thriving Copenhagen electronic scene. After more than a decade as a busy producer and DJ, Kasper has released his work on labels like Plant Music, Fine, Thugfucker and V2 Records and in addition received a Danish Music Award as Best Producer, for the well known project Filur, which he still runs with his old friend Tomas Barfod (Tartelet / Gomma / Get Physical).

Two years after his much applauded solo debut ‘In Gumbo’ (released on NYC based Plant Music in 2007) Kasper Bjørke is ready to release his sophomore record, ‘Standing On Top Of Utopia‘ which is scheduled for release in February 2010.

The album is an exciting multi-genre journey through Kasper‘s mature, extravagant and richly musical mind. Lashings of glittering analogue synthesizer jams, warm throbbing post-disco trips, touching, heart-felt pop songs and dark electronic club tools are all present. Kasper really went to town on this album, and each track literally overflowing with top class studio and musical ability. Bursting with live instrumentation, tape-deck overdubs and an unmissable finger-on the-pulse atmosphere, its a treat for the ears and in fact all the senses. 10 uplifiting, melancholic, timeless and life-affirming songs lie in store.

A veritable Danish entourage of vocalists including Louise Foo (Giana Factory) and Tomas Höffding (WhoMadeWho) are featured on the album alongside a wide selection of guest musicians. Jacob Bellens (I Got You On Tape / Murder) wrote the song and contributed the vocals and lyrics on “Young Again”, the first single to be lifted from the album, which comes complete with superb remixes from Whomadewho, Serge Santiago and Lopazz & Zarook.

Album Tracklisting:

01. Animals

02. Young Again

03. Dasko Vanitas

04. Effi cient Machine

05. Melmax

06. Alcatraz

07. Great Kills

08. Heaven

09. Fido & Friendly Ghost

10. Fasano

www.hfn-music.com

Track by Track

01. Animals

Featuring the soft and sexy charms of Danish singer Louise Foo (Giana Factory), who covered for her sister Sharin on the last US tour of the Raveonettes, ‘Animals‘ sets the tone for the album with warm synthesizer textures and hot analogue sentimentality. A teasing introduction to Kasper‘s second album, this atmospheric and tense synth pop jam opens the door into this world. ‘Reach out and

reach us...’. Additional live bass played by John Stahl.

02. Young Again

The first single to hit the shelves before the album drops, ‘Young Again’ is a powerful, anthemic and essential Kasper Bjørke future classic. Jacob Bellens rich, heartfelt vocal sits perfectly with Kasper‘s emotive multi-timbral backing. Bellens, of ‘I Got You On Tape’ and ‘Murder‘fame is well known amongst the Copenhagen‘s set and wrote the music and the lyrics of this spellbinding modern pop song. The strings have been arranged and performed by Davide Rossi who is know for his work with The Verve, Coldplay, Goldfrapp and most recently on the new Royksopp album. Live bass is by Jón Atli Helgason from Icelandic band “Hairdoctor”. Guitar and Casio keys by Anders Christophersen of “Melk”. Additional percussion by US based musician Dennis Young of the legendary 80ies band “Liquid Liquid”.

03. Dasko Vanitas

Dropping into ‘Dasko Vanitas‘ is like taking a ride down the multi-coloured streets of New York, dripping with soul, electronic funk and melancholic jazz undertones. One of several superb instrumental tracks on the album, Kasper actually began working on this track while living in the East Village of Manhattan and so the tune features some US musicians like Kap10Kurt (bass) and Dominique Keegan (The Sound Of Young New York) (guitar).

04. Efficient Machine

An up-tempo, truly uplifting dance track in classic Kasper style. Capturing disco club energy, a raw post-punk throb and a whole lifetime of musical inspiration, this track was written by Kasper Bjørke, and performed with Tomas Höffding from WhoMadeWho. Bass by Jón Atli Helgason. Strings arranged and performed by Davide Rossi.

05. Melmac

A tough, dark and brooding club track that Kasper tells us he‘s had a lot of fun dropping during his DJ sets, ‘Melmac’ embodies the more electronic side of Bjørke‘s production repertoire. Chunky, unforgiving and dangerously funky its a wonderful addition to this diverse and richly influenced album.

06. Alcatraz

Again written by Jacob Bellens, ‘Alcatraz’ is a driving, piano-led story of ghosts and of children. Mystic, pop, magic, dub, funk!

07. Great Kills

This beautiful, haunting melodic journey features the work of cellist Cæcilie Trier, a member of “Choir of Young Believers” (Ghostly International). Dark brooding and mysterious, we find Kasper wondering off into the wilderness of his mind as we catch an insight into yet another side of this multi-talented musician. Also featured are the vocals of Nanna Oh Land (Fake Diamond) who is set to be the next big thing from Denmark. We also hear seminal Kap10Kurt on Bass.

08. Heaven

An inspired cover of the Rolling Stones classic, ‘Heaven’ features once again the sensual vocals of Louise Foo. Kasper always wanted to do a cover and this seemed to be the perfect track to pay tribute to. Rousing, floating and sublime, you‘ll be carried away into celestial places before landing firmly back on terra firma. The strings are once more by Davide Rossi.

09. Fido & The Friendly Ghost

An ode to his more techno-orientated project using the moniker Kasper Bjørke & His Friendly Ghost, ‘Fido...’ is a deep grooving, bass heavy analogue jam. Warm, pumping and free flowing it’s another tense and melancholic work, hinting that the album is drawing to a close.

10. Fasano