For a group in involved in jazz or improvised music, working regularly is a necessity for the further evolvement of the music. During such periods of constant touring the music changes from gig to gig, the compositions or pieces fluctuates in tempo, momentum, density, sensitivity and expressivity. Sometimes, as in this case, you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to record and document the process. The Bikini Tapes contain takes culled from seven individual concerts recorded between February and July 2004. During that time Atomic toured relentlessly; an exhaustive tour of Norway, Austria, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and close to three weeks of making mayhem with the Vandermark 5 on the east-coast of USA. All the tracks on The Bikini Tapes are from the concerts in Norway, recorded at the beginning and the end of the tour. The music changed enormously during those concerts, and the individual pieces underwent, in some cases, fundamental transformation. Earlier recorded music from our two previous Jazzland releases, completely new material and our older unreleased repertoire, was stretched each night in our quest to drive our music forward. It is with great joy and excitement we present this volume of the Atomic discography, which represent, in our opinion, the best music from our concerts at the time and really reflects the spirit of the group in a live situation.

Enjoy!

Håvard Wiik, Oslo 15.02 2005 ///// Released 2006 ///// Personnel: Fredrik Ljungkvist - Saxophones & Clarinet / Magnus Broo - Trumpet / Håvard Wiik - Piano / Ingebrigt Håker Flaten - Bass / Paal Nilsen-Love - Drums & Percussion