Kenneth Ishak
Kenneth Ishak had, by October 2006, released 7 albums, 5 with his band Beezewax and 2 low-key solo albums. The whole thing started with the release Beezewax's debut album in 97 which led to countless tours of the UK and the rest of Europe, a couple of tours in the US, Japan and South-East Asia both solo and with the band. Kenneth had barely come home from the last Beezewax tour when the studio time for his solo album was booked, and shortly after he found him self in Stockholm with the very talented J??rgen Wall as a producer. The recording was supposed to go fast and be ready for a release after a month or so, but the creative juices of both Kenneth and J??rgen would not stop flowing. 11 months later the album is finally ready. So, what happened during those 11 months? This is the first time Kenneth worked with a producer for his solo work, and considering he has also started producing Beezewax and other bands he could have easily produced the album himself. It would probably have been finished earlier too. But, having two talented musicians that both think like producers in the studio makes them both push and challenge each other musically, and they have certainly pushed this record as far as possible. They had sessions in Stockholm, Kenneth brought tracks to Oslo for additional recording in his own Studio Luka, then back to Stockholm again with plenty of time between sessions to re-think arrangements. So what does this album sound like? It might be easier to say what it doesn't sound like, but i'll try to sum up all of the influences here. You've got some classy and lush orchestrated folk-pop that will send your thoughts towards Judee Sill and Nick Drake, a couple of songs that Neil Young would be proud of, some soul-rock that sounds like Ted Leo being produced by Curtis Mayfield, the ever so present Elliott Smith influence, and some song arrangements that sound like 70s TV and Movie music with that special kind of french feeling. And it all fits perfectly and strangely together. So here it is, 'Silver Lightning From a Black Sky', Kenneth Ishak's third solo album. And as always, Kenneth Ishak is planning to pack his bags and guitar and play as many shows around the world as possible. Both large venues and small living rooms. So keep your eyes and ears open, and prepare yourself for Kenneth Ishak and his 'Silver Lightning From a Black Sky'.
KENNETH ISHAK GIGS AT CLUB FANDANGO