Category Archives: Maja’s top 10

In chronological order. This list will change.

Come Away Death

2L: “Death is as natural as love. But whereas love is bright and beautiful, death is dark and irreversible. Our modern society encourages us to live out our dreams and desires to try to achieve personal goals, and to strive … Continue reading →

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Orra

Tzadik: “Friends and colleagues since 1988, Ikue Mori and Zeena Parkins are two of the strongest musical voices out of the downtown scene. Lynchpins of bands as diverse as DNA, Skeleton Crew, Electric Masada, Hemophiliac and Björk, their duo project … Continue reading →

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River Mouth Echoes

Tzadik: “Maja Ratkje is a remarkable vocalist and composer based in Norway. Her work ranges from orchestral and chamber works to electronics, improvisation and creative combinations of all of the above. This special collection of Maja’s work showcases several aspects … Continue reading →

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Ballads

A quiet album by John Hegre and Maja Ratkje. Concréte. Close up. Blues… Dekorder: “Ballads ist the first collaborative album by two key figures of the Norwegian noise, improv, experimental, whatever-you-call-it music scene. Anyone expecting a rackety wall of distorted … Continue reading →

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Stalker

catalog number: imprec092format: picture disc This vinyl only picture disc release is limited to only 500 copies worldwide. Important Records: “Renowned international composer Maja Ratkje is a founding member in two of Norway’s most respected improvisational units – Spunk & … Continue reading →

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Blixter Toad

2xCD. Asphodel: “Fe-mail, MAJA RATKJE and HILD SOFIE TAFJORD, have crafted a site-specific survey of the chaparrals of noise music. As half of the Scandinavian female improv quartet, SPUNK, they began to adapt their mediums of french horn and voice to multiple formats…” Watch videos and listen to some of the music here. Continue reading →

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En aldeles forferdelig sykdom

Rune Grammofon: “Their third studio album marks the 10th anniversary of this all female quartet. Free collective improvising is one of the most demanding ways of making music: the pitfalls are many – self-absorption, incoherence, certain standardized «gestures» of free … Continue reading →

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Passing Images

ECM: “Frode Haltli is acknowledged as one of the most outstanding accordion soloists in contemporary music and is also an exceptional improviser and an authority on folk music. ‘Passing Images’ looks at traditional music, but in a very fresh and … Continue reading →

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Syklubb fra Hælvete (LP)

Debut album, released on pink vinyl, limited edition of 500 copies, now sold out. Made through pure improvisation with no pre-recorded sound at the starting point. Old school noise. Thurston Moore loves it: “Out of Norway comes the most exciting … Continue reading →

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Voice

Rune Grammofon: “The debut solo album from SPUNK member Maja Ratkje will secure her a place among the finest experimental singers. From the weird and furious to the enchanting and beautiful, this is an album rich in atmosphere, colour and … Continue reading →

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