Review

The Sounds of The Kenneth Bager Experience

Commonly referred to as 'Denmark's original space cadet', Kenneth Bager's career has been going for over three decades. He's been responsible for igniting the scandinavian careers of Sven Vath, Todd Terry, Paul Oakenfold, Norman Jay, Coldcut and The Orb to name but a few.

House afficionados may remember his 90's club classic 'Kaos' which then got sampled by the likes of MAW, Future Soud Of London, The Shamen, and David Morales.He also signed The KLF, The Shamen, Moby and Dance to Trance, for the territory of Scandinavia and had a huge run of chart success, helping to shape and influence the careers of all the artists he has worked with.

So now under the auspices of The Kenneth Bager Experience Deconstruction Records are taking a worthy punt on his formerly known album 'Fragments From A Space Cadet' by repackaging it for the UK.

First up 'Naked Music" is an upbeat reggaefied piece of blessedness that will make you feel good all over with a beautiful stringed instrument motif and a catchy Sesame Street type melody hook.Very inventive and fun sounding kids and adults alike will love this!

However the euphoria wears off way too soon with the wearisome 'I Can't Wait' a four to the floor disco house potboiler that is woefully misplaced as track two but thankfully order is quickly restored with the fab 'The Sound Of Swing (Oh Na Na)' featuring man about town Aloe Blacc. Another inventive production, like the opener that will move feet and minds the world over.A shuffle syncopated groove laced with delicious clarinet and the silky toned yearnings of Aloe give this some real pizazz and class.

There's plenty of variety here and he likes his guitar too as 'F.O.A.C.' shows a lo-fi gritty tune resplendent with a really groovy live bass and some edge like guitar and that stringed instrument again (kora perhaps?) plus the now obligatory clarinet - I like! The track wigs out with a great slice of breakbeat drumming and lead space hendrixey guitar (blimey he'd love Ozric Tentacles!) dubbed up to the max - this is sterling work Kenneth.

There's an overwhelmingly child like quality to this album which brings it's own special charm to proceedings and the many big name guests he has on this platter must share his innocent and enviable outlook on life. Julee Cruise, (from David Lynch's Blue Velvet theme) joins in on the joyous sounding 'The First Picture' all gift wrapped in lush strings and a crunchy nut loop that will swallow you up in it's full on fluffiness.

This man has an amazing ear for melody and a keen savvy on what sounds commercial yet distinctive and 'I kept Hearing It ' feat. Gisli typifies, this A 6/8 beat a whistling hook and a wailing harmonica make up this perfect pop vignette (it even comes in at under 3 mins!)

If this is the future of dance music then count me in Bager shows remarkable versatility, style and wit. How any man can make banjos and accordian hip is beyond me but by gad sir he does and they do! A scandinavian maverick unleashed you've been warned!
Words Emrys Baird