Icelandic Jazz duo, Paddan, release a new EP that combines elements of traditional and experimental
This week, the Icelandic jazz duo Paddan are set to release their new EP entitled, Fluid Time. The two men behind the band, Sigtryggur Baldursson and Birgir Mogensen, are old veterans to the music scene in Iceland (not to mention lifelong friends). In the early 80s, both Birgir and Sigtryggur were in the experimental punk collective called KUKL — which featured other Icelandic producers including Guðlaugur Óttarsson, Einar Örn, Einar Melax, and Björk.
To announce the new EP, the duo have let us have a first listen of the lead single from the album. The track is called “Splash” and it walks the line between traditional and experimental jazz. “‘Splash’ is a track that quickly had a clear line of direction,” explains Sigtryggur when talking about the new single. “It is built on a groove that reflects our influences from the electric funk jazz of the early 70´s which we both spent hours listening to in our early teens in Kópavogur, [Iceland]. Splash became an ode to those times and we were fortunate to have our friend Eirikur Orri bring his trumpet to the recording session resulting in a memorable performance.“
Recorded, produced, and arranged by the pair, Sigtryggur and Birgir play basses and drums along with various other instruments. All recordings are played on live instruments except a modular synth which is programmed in the background of two tracks. The duo is joined by the great harmonica and lap steel player Gaukur Davidsson on “Vaguely” and “Bug,” and trumpet player Eirikur Orri Ólafsson on “Splash.”
Look out for Fluid Time to be released later this week by a record label based in Washington D.C. called Lovitt Records.
Paddan – Splash
Cover artwork by Camille Deschiens
