Closer - Beady Belle
CLOSER, the new album by Beady Belle, continues the group's unique vision of a completely original interpretation of jazz. Led by singer/songwriter Beate S. Lech and bassist/songwriter Marius Reksjø, together they have composed, arranged, written the lyrics and produced their third CD directed to those hungry for innovation and dynamic creativity within modern jazz.
Recorded at Bugges Room in Oslo, with additional recording at Beady Belles own studio, the album features musicians from their live set, Jørn Øien on keyboards and Erik Holm on drums. Bugge Wesseltoft guest performs on Fender Rhodes, and they are also joined by a selection of Norways finest jazz musicians.
CLOSER is Beady Belles third album for Jazzland. It is destined to bring not only their existing listeners, but a entirely new audience closer to their infectious blend of groove and textures, disciplined improvisation, and acoustic electronic jazz. Beate states, We've tried to make an album thats closer to the listener, for the most part taking away embellishments and emphasizing the essence of the music. The strings dont have the purpose of being lushly arranged harmonies, but serve to bring the musical theme into the foreground. Even the sound of the strings are sharper, clearer. We've tried to arrange the strings in the way they would in the orient it really brings a more characteristic atmosphere to the music.
When Beate's mother heard the album for the first time, her initial comment was that the album was much closer than the previous one. This only confirmed Beady Belle's decision that the chosen album title was most certainly the right one.