Øystein Sevåg - Link

The legendary album Link was created at a time when Sevåg was filled with optimism and faith in the future. After the overwhelming reception that its predecessor Close Your Eyes and See had received in the U.S., Sevåg was now offered a recording contract with Windham Hill in California for several new albums. This meant that from then on, his productions would have worldwide distribution from day one.

Windham Hill gave Sevåg great artistic freedom from the very beginning. In the fall of 1992 the Link album was finished. At the same time, Sevåg also signed a publishing agreement with Warner Chappell in Los Angeles for the music of a number of upcoming albums. With this, Sevåg gained a financial independence that made it possible for him to pursue his work in the direction he wanted.

It also gave him the opportunity to expand the recording studio in his house in Bogen, by the Oslo Fjord. Over time, this place became a creative hub for several other young musicians. Bogen turned into a place where many musical projects came to life, and where people participated in each other’s recordings.

It was therefore natural that he invited far more musicians to take part on Link than on its predecessor. Among them were Nils Petter Molvær, Bendik Hofseth, Lakki Patey, Eivind Aarset, Audun Erlien, and Paolo Vinaccia—who at that time were all standing at the threshold of their international careers.

Link was released on March 8, 1993. Like its predecessor, the album was warmly received by American radio, spending 18 weeks on Billboard’s NAC Top 25 chart that year.

Featuring Øystein Sevåg – keyboards, flute and computers, Bendik Hofseth – saxophone, Lakki Patey – acoustic guitar, Nils Petter Molvær – trumpet, Roar Lindberg – acoustic guitar, Eivind Aarset – electric guitar, Audun Erlien – Electric bass, Paolo Vinaccia – talking drum, Carl Störmer – drum programming, Gudmund Sevåg – cello, Jan Erik Salater – fretless electric bass, Inge Norum – cymbals, Håkon Skandfer Hansen – rainmaker