Kenneth Bager Experience-Premiere Classé: Album Review

Kenneth Bager has proven himself as a tastemaker standing at the front of his class as a leading voice of the Balearic and Chill/Electronic scene for years. It’s been a long six years since his last full-length offering ‘Fragments of a Space Cadet 2’ and now he’s back with a brand new album titled ‘Premiere Classé.’

I’ll start off by confessing that I am biased when it comes to Kenneth Bager and anything he is associated with. In my opinion, he’s the tops. So, the following words on his latest will be glowing and for those who love Baleraric and Chill, buy the album, now.

It kicks off with title track ‘Premiere Classé (Beat Mix)’ that sets the tone immediately with a red hot disco feel. It was a great way to kick off the collection of new tunes from the Denmark legend. It’s followed by ‘Sunshine Stereo’ featuring Damon C. Scott, the first of two appearances, right away the Bass, Synths, and Guitar works magic in the way it morphs into a healthy dose of electro-pop complete with choice vocals delivered by Damon C. Scott in various stylings. On the next two tracks, Bager really mixes it up. ‘Biological Bread’ has heavy hints of African rhythms and vocal chants while ‘Sunset Over Hobro’ is an acoustic guitar soundscape that features amazingly good finger and fret work. Halfway through, you’ll come to ‘What’s My Name,’ a song filled with disco tinged guitars, phat bass and super vocal deliveries by vocalist Sofie Gråbøl. Fellow label mate DJ Pippi joins in with some tropical bliss on ‘La Serenata’ and I’m certain you’ll love the accordian work on this track. Bossa Nova rules on the track ‘I Wish I Could Be Happy’ features lovely and bubbly vocals and traditional acoustic and electric instumentation with subtle electronics and sweeping soundscapes and and searing sax solo at the bridge. Very nice. Closing out the album with ‘Fat Bottom Penguins’ is a bass and synth groove with just a touch of chill and some electric guitar melody to counter the deep walking bass and drum fills. And finally, the title track, ‘Premiere Classé.’ At the beginning of this album Bager opens with a remix of this track. There are differences, first, the remix is dripping with disco vibe, The closer is not. It is flavored with a simple electronic piano melody, various counter-melodic synth sounds, tamborine, steel drums, a squeeking sax bit, and electric guitars. It starts at a slow chilled pace and builds into a beauty.

Like in the beginning, Bager was masterful in determining how to open and close out this new collection of songs. Bravo!, Mr. Bager.

—Joseph Arthur

Premiere Classe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy it here.

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