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The art of not blending in

"The art of not blending in", released december 2003 contains 14 all original songs, selected with care, not because they fit nicely together, define some kind of musical style or concept, but simply because we like them. If you still need some kind of label on the musical style lets say its pop with a jazzy touch.

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The band

In making "The art of not blending in" we have had the pleasure of working together with some of the finest musicians in and around Stocksholm. Thanks guys:

Tomas Bergquist

Tomas tours frequently with big Swedish acts such as E-Type and Magnus Uggla. He is often seen on Swedish TV, e.g. with his a capella group Voice Boys, and with the orchestra in the popular "Så ska det låta" show.

Tomas plays the bass and the drums on most of the tracks, as well as keyboards on some.

Helena "Lilling" Palmeklint

Lilling is one of Swedens most hired back up vocalists, recording with artists like Roxette, Carola, Lisa Nilsson and Ulf Lundell. She has also sung in the Eurovision Song contest with her own group.

On our album she sing beautiful lead vocals on the jazzy "Borderline", as well as backup vocals on some of the songs.

Monica Hultén

Monica sings Lead vocals on One at a time and groovy wailing on Lamborghino.

Kia Wedin-Nilsson

Opera singer Kia sings soprano with the Swedish Radio Choir. She does backup vocals on "Come and dance".

Sören Svedestig

Saxophonist Sören plays a beautiful soprano solo on "Goodbye on a beautiful day", and tenor on "Borderline".

Hans Olofsson

Saxophonist Hans plays with various big bands and funk bands around Stockholm. Plays a nice alto solo on Can I be a Star, plus barrytone sax on "Spanish Brass".

Åsa Henriksson

Funky trombonist Åsa Henriksson from Chickentown plays a nice solo on "When my baby plays the trombone". She also plays in the horn section.

Lars Lundell

Jazz pianist Lars Lundell plays cool solo on Lamborghino.

Karin Larsdotter

Karin plays cello on "Goodbye on a beautiful day".

K Burnshee

Guitars, keyboard. Vocals on "One at a time".

Matt Thornside

Lead vocals, trumpet, organ on "How the story goes", banjo on "Chevrolet".

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Samples

Here are some low resolution samples from the album.

Also check out the Bonus material section, were we've put the stuff that didn't make it to the album.

Can I be a star, a fast funky song. 1 Mb. Playtime 4.30 minutes.

Lamborghino, a "smooth jazz" groove song. 1 Mb. Playtime 4.20 minutes.

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Album review

Steamy tracks for LA cruising

When a new album by an unknown band lands on your desk, it’s always a pleasant surprise if just one track leaves a lasting impression. This ambitious debut album by Swedish Burnshee Thornside has at least three or four sizzlers. The band is spearheaded by K. Burnshee (a.k.a. Johan Nilsson) and Jens Henriksson (Matt Thornside), a multitalented duo that’s been jamming together since the 1980s. Together with a prodigious group of Stockholm musicians, they serve up an eclectic mix of upbeat songs ranging from jazzy funk and soul rhythms, to catchy pop and sixties "love-in" music.

While the 14 tracks lack a clear overall focus, this is part of the charm. Clearly Burnshee and Thornside know this too, and are having fun keeping us guessing. But what makes the album truly refreshing is the impeccable musicianship throughout, coupled with good humour and contagious enthusiasm. Burnshee’s guitar licks spice up songs like Can I be a star? (one of my favourites), accented by Thornside’s smooth voice. Lars "Hancock" Lundell’s superb piano solo, with slick chord changes, and Lilling Palmeklint’s delicious background vocals also stand out.

There may well be a musical style for everyone on this album, but my preference is for the smouldering slow-grooves of funky Lamborghino, with its carefree lyrics. Makes me want to jump into a convertible and cruise the boulevards of LA, Bose speakers pumping and a girl in the passenger seat. Two more tracks ? Can I be a star? and One at a time ? also push in this direction (do I detect a jazzy new funk album in the works?). And while Spanish Brass & Fury, with its brassy Latino rhythms, is on another planet, I actually loved it (weird, eh?). Oh, one more thing: the muted trumpet playing by Thornside gives this album a truly special edge. Can they be stars? The answer is yes, but they’ll need to get a bit more focused.

David Gray, M-Magazine

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Testimonials

Find out what people think of us on the web.

Rasmus Kajs Blog

Daves Blog

Blog monkey

Live journal

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Lyrics

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Buy the album

You can buy our music from the following places:

From Magnatune, www.magnatune.com. Here you can buy complete albums as mp3s for direct download.

From CD baby, www.cdbaby.com. Here you can buy CDs for shipping.

From CD Unsigned, www.cdunsigned.com. Here you can buy CDs for shipping.

From iTunes. Here you can separate mp3s for direct download.

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© Burnshee Thornside

The art of not blending in

The band

Samples

Review

Testimonials

Lyrics

Buy the album