Karisma Records is set to release “Flying Colours”, the next album in its planned series of six full-length releases that makes up the entire back-catalogue of Norwegian Prog Legends RUPHUS.
Originally released in 1978, “Flying Colours” is unusual for RUPHUS, a band used to an ever-shifting lineup, in that it featured the same musicians as on its predecessor “Inner Voice”, namely Kjell Larsen on guitar, Asle Nilsen on bass), Sylvi Lillegaard on vocals, Thor Bendiksen and drums and Jan Simonsen on keyboards.
By the time “Flying Colours” hit the streets for the first time, RUPHUS had been settled in Germany for such a long time, extensively touring Continental Europe, to the extent that even Norwegian fans assumed the band was German. It is, nevertheless, a prime example of Proggy Norwegian 70’s Jazz Rock, firmly cementing the band’s reputation as one of the leading lights of the European Jazz Rock Scene.
Recorded at the Rosenborg Studios in Oslo and engineered by Hans Petter Danielsen, the new release of “Flying Colours has once again be been remastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel, etc) who is working with new digital transfers from the original master tapes which are stored in the Norwegian National Archives for posterity.
With artwork by Jan Ole Norum tracklisting for “Flying Colours is as follows:
- Foodlover’s Diet
- Frysja
- Early Riser
- Flying Colours
- The Rivulet
- Joy
- Moody Moments
Part One: The Moment
Part Two: Gloom
Part Three: Exaltation
“Flying Colours” will be released in CD, LP and Limited Edition Purple Vinyl (250 copies only) on the 7th August, and is now available to pre-order from: http://www.karismarecords.no
As a bonus to fans of Norwegian Prog in general, and RUPHUS in particular, Karisma Records will revisit the band’s debut album “New Born Day”, which it re-released in March of this year, by making available a limited edition white vinyl version. It is an album widely regarded as one of the best albums to have emerged from the Norwegian Prog scene, so this version will come as a pleasant addition to any fans collection.
“New Born Day”, which will also be released on the 7th August, is also now available to pre-order from: https://www.karismarecords.no
Ruphus, New Born Day (Limited white vinyl)
Additionally. RUPHUS fans who thought they’d missed out on the “Ranshart” limited edition yellow vinyl will be happy to hear that Karisma have found a few copies, which are available now from https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/artist/ruphus/ruphus-ranshart-yellow-vinyl/
A versatile and ground-breaking band, RUPHUS, with their long, melodic, compositions,  and multiple, intertwined themes, were regarded as being the Norwegian equivalent of YES, not just in style, but also in skill.  The band’s revolving door policy as regards their lineup meant that, as members left and others joined, RUPHUS’ sound changed accordingly, taking them from their early days playing hard progressive rock, to becoming one of the leaders in the field of jazz rock. Only Kjell Larsen (guitar) and Asle Nilsen (bass, flute) would go on to play on all of RUPHUS’ albums.Â
More information about RUPHUS can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thebandruphus/
A video of RUPHUS playing live at the studios of Norway’s NRK TV can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/5RnuFIuAn0U
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook:Â https://www.facebook.com/thebandruphus/
Promo and other information:Â post@karismarecords.no
