JARLE BERNHOFT - CERAMIK CITY CHRONICLES
The next artist I want to draw your attention to as Music Junk approved is Jarle (Yar-luh) Bernhoft and his 2008 album “Ceramik City Chronicles.”
The sub-genre you see there may look like a joke, but it is not. Its purpose is to differentiate between an artist that performs Pop Soul (soulful music with a pop foundation) and Real Soul (soulful music that does not pander to a current pop trend). There is nothing inherently wrong with Pop Soul, but that is not what Mr. Bernhoft has brought to this album.
Jarle had never performed as a soul musician until he had heard a record by Sly and the Family Stone which was so inspiring to him that it eventually led to the recording of Ceramik City. Before that, he had spent 5 years in the rock outfit “Span" which had commercial success in his home country of Norway until it disbanded at the end of 2005. Hearing his soul voice today is amazing considering the genre of music that he came from. Ceramik City Chronicles is a remarkable album from start to finish as it seethes with the stories of someone who saw and understood the troubles of a big city.
Down to business, Jarle's performance on this album has a lot to offer. A lot. First, his voice has a very distinct and genuine tone to it with a slight edge that continually surprises people once they learn he's a white guy from Norway. It's all the more surprising when coupled with his exceptional lyricism, even though English is his second language. He doesn't seem to get caught up in the same old lyrical tropes that we get caught in as Americans, giving his lyrics an interesting and refreshing approach that you don't get from many. Being Norwegian might have given him a different songwriting perspective that could help, but I believe it goes beyond that. The care for craft in his songwriting is evident in each song's build and dynamic hits, and ultimately, Ceramik City is shockingly consistent to be tossed up to luck. The last quality that I want to mention is the instrumentation. Most tracks sound like they could have been straight out of the 70s which ends up bringing an even greater sense of "realness" to the experience. I didn't want to use that word, but I'll just say it was intentional theming to this article. Anyway, Jarle plays the majority of what you hear on this album even with a few tracks being completely comprised of his talents.
His first single "Streetlights" is a fantastic testament to his soulful writing and delivery as well as his multi-instrumental ability. Everything you hear on this track is him.
STREETLIGHTS
The next track, "Prayer To A Landlord" is the waltz of the album and it is satisfyingly relaxed and moving at the same time, both lyrically and instrumentally.
PRAYER TO A LANDLORD
The final preview to the album is "On Patience." It starts off with the guitar moving around chromatically and that may make you feel a little weird at first, but as it builds it turns into a full-fledged power-soul explosion with some moments allowed to give light to Jarle's great lead guitar work.
ON PATIENCE
After all is said and done, these are the qualities that really make Jarle stand out and make the listen incredibly enjoyable:
1. A Veteran-of-Soul Voice
2. Thoughtful & Fresh Lyrical Take
3. Exceptional Dynamics & Build
4. Tight & Immersive Instrumentation
Since Ceramik City Chronicles, Jarle has gone on to record 2 more full-length albums (Solidarity Breaks and Islander) 2 live albums (1:Man 2:Band and Walk With Me) and 1 live EP (Live In Cologne). All of these have different sounds from Ceramik City; some good, some not as good. I will likely come back around and address the other good albums Jarle has put out and give you some more music to listen to if you don't instinctively search through everything that he's done to find the good stuff... like I did.
Thanks for taking the time to hear this guy and I hope that I gave you something new to add to your regular listening.
Official Music Junk Video links here:
Streetlights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiM03D6sL7o
Prayer To A Landlord - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Def84fAEA
On Patience - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVEHQweomf0
BONUS
Span: Don't Think The Way They Do - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix2a408m7c4&list=UUkeBQhu9Spxg082jbg_zSUg
Jarle had never performed as a soul musician until he had heard a record by Sly and the Family Stone which was so inspiring to him that it eventually led to the recording of Ceramik City. Before that, he had spent 5 years in the rock outfit “Span" which had commercial success in his home country of Norway until it disbanded at the end of 2005. Hearing his soul voice today is amazing considering the genre of music that he came from. Ceramik City Chronicles is a remarkable album from start to finish as it seethes with the stories of someone who saw and understood the troubles of a big city.
His first single "Streetlights" is a fantastic testament to his soulful writing and delivery as well as his multi-instrumental ability. Everything you hear on this track is him.
STREETLIGHTS
The next track, "Prayer To A Landlord" is the waltz of the album and it is satisfyingly relaxed and moving at the same time, both lyrically and instrumentally.
PRAYER TO A LANDLORD
The final preview to the album is "On Patience." It starts off with the guitar moving around chromatically and that may make you feel a little weird at first, but as it builds it turns into a full-fledged power-soul explosion with some moments allowed to give light to Jarle's great lead guitar work.
ON PATIENCE
After all is said and done, these are the qualities that really make Jarle stand out and make the listen incredibly enjoyable:
1. A Veteran-of-Soul Voice
2. Thoughtful & Fresh Lyrical Take
3. Exceptional Dynamics & Build
4. Tight & Immersive Instrumentation
Since Ceramik City Chronicles, Jarle has gone on to record 2 more full-length albums (Solidarity Breaks and Islander) 2 live albums (1:Man 2:Band and Walk With Me) and 1 live EP (Live In Cologne). All of these have different sounds from Ceramik City; some good, some not as good. I will likely come back around and address the other good albums Jarle has put out and give you some more music to listen to if you don't instinctively search through everything that he's done to find the good stuff... like I did.
Thanks for taking the time to hear this guy and I hope that I gave you something new to add to your regular listening.
Official Music Junk Video links here:
Streetlights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiM03D6sL7o
Prayer To A Landlord - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Def84fAEA
On Patience - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVEHQweomf0
BONUS
Span: Don't Think The Way They Do - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix2a408m7c4&list=UUkeBQhu9Spxg082jbg_zSUg
