Red Kite – This Too Shall Pass (Is it Jazz? Records, 2026)
Norwegian jazz rock band Red Kite explores the darker side of music in This Too Shall Pass. The album follows a difficult period for the group. Keyboardist Bernt André Moen stepped down permanently after health issues, which led the band to postpone its plans. The period also included several personal losses around the group.
According to the band, the album’s darker tone emerged after guitarist Even Hermansen began writing new material during a time marked by illness and grief. The resulting music took on a slower, more somber direction. Skilled, saxophone-heavy contemporary jazz-rock fusion improvisation meets dark, inventive progressive rock structures.
With this release we also find changes to Red Kite’s line-up. Saxophonist Gisle Johansen, initially set to appear as a guest, has joined the band as a full member. Ståle Storløkken also contributed keyboards on short notice.
Red Kite’s current line-up features Even Hermansen on guitar, Trond Frønes on bass, Torstein Lofthus on drums, and Gisle Johansen on saxophone.
Track list:
- Not to Be
- Requiem for Bolla
- Texas of Sweden
- No Safe Harbour
- For Ugly Duckling
- Bernt
- Broken Hearts and Broken Bones
- All’s Well That Ends
Buy This Too Shall Pass.