I have always been a sucker for (good) soulfunk. The sex, beats and bass lines, the historically amazing vocalists… There is just something incredibly life affirming about it. So, it is not the biggest surprise that I am really digging Norwegian singer and songwriter Jarle Bernhoft’s solo debut, ‘Ceramik City Chronicles’, released in Norway last year and now on its way out in other territories.

Just before SPOT Festival I had time to give it a quick spin which had me headed straight for his gig there. And he blew me away! Live he was armed with just two guitars and a sampler, on album he’s backed by a number of musicians adding all the right bits like horns, strings and not least Rhodes and Hammond – two of the coolest sound makers ever.

Soul legends like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder are (of course) represented in the influences department, but fans of John Legend can also safely board Bernhoft’s soul train, driven forward by the very funky opening track ‘On Time’, ditto ‘Streetlights’, the Latin-tinged ‘Fly Away’ and ‘Firm & Deep’ and big-ass gospel ballad ‘Prayer To A Landlord’.

Jarle Bernhoft is not really doing anything not done before. However, he’s delivering the songs describing his love/hate relationship with Norway’s capital, Oslo, with feel, funk and authenticity. And then he’s got that ace of a voice adding his personal touch to the soul legacy. It’s just a massive weapon of mass punani destruction.

Genre: Rock/Soul/Funk
Who: Jarle Bernhoft
Album: Ceramik City Chronicles
Label: Universal
Year: 2008/2009
Country: Norway
Language: English
DOWNLOAD VIA

Recommended tracks:
On Time – So Many Faces – Streetlights – Fly Away – Prayer To A Landlord – Firm & Deep