It’s hard to believe that it was only a few months ago that Les Imprimés introduced himself to the world. After signing with the illustrious Big Crown Records, the multi-hyphenate, Norwegian-bred artist immediately began winning over our hearts. His debut single for the label, “I’ll Never Leave”, introduced us to the cosmic soul of Morten Martens, frontman of this soulful outfit. His gentle falsettos are elevated by lush arrangements, the marriage of the two exploding like a firework of masterful musicianship. One single after another, Martens’ refreshing take on modern soul was elevated and hit a fever pitch on his recently released debut LP, Rêverie. The 12-song LP not only marks one of the better releases to come across Glide’s desk this year but shows that the genre of soul is far from done being reimagined. Martens was able to pull from just about every corner of the genre and reshape classic tropes with a modern twist, making for an album full of innovation mixed with nostalgia.
Although this is Les Imprimés debut, Morten Martens is no stranger to a studio session. He started as a touring musician for multiple acts before finding solace in the studio. In 2006, Martens took home a Spellemann Award (Norwegian Grammy) for producing a Hip-hop project while also racking up nominations across multiple genres. It was then, after years of collecting studio equipment and experience that Martens opened up his own studio on the island of Odderøya where he made ends meet by recording, producing, and playing for other artists. Once everyone else’s music received that legendary Martens touch, he can be found sitting in that same studio working on what would become Les Imprimés. These songs became an outlet for Martens’ restless creativity and evolved into the beautiful examples of modern soul you can find on Rêverie.
I think most people when they hear your debut album Rêverie will be astonished to know its a debut as it sounds as polished and mature as many of the essential albums from the golden era. What was the process for nailing your sound down to sound so deep and honed?
Well, first of all, thank you! I’ve been working as a producer for other artists for some years and sound has always been as important as songwriting to me. This time I wanted to make an album that expresses myself and what I love, without other people’s opinions. The process means a lot of trial and error with instruments and equipment from a bygone era and ended up being something I can really stand for.
What type of gear have you collected and used over the years to perfect this sound?
I’ve collected a lot of studio gear and instruments over the years. For this record I used gear like the 40s/50s/60s ribbon and dynamic mics, a two-track tape machine, four track cassette deck, Hammond M3, Rhodes Mark 1 suitcase, clavinet, Phillichorda, strange spring units, Harmony guitar and bass guitar, my mom’s classical guitar, Camco drums, and my lovely 90s modded Danelectro sitar which smelled like a mixture of herbs and incense when I got it in the mail.
The second track “Falling Away,” especially sounds very familiar and comforting in the best audible ways. Was there a particular song or artist influenced by that one?
Thanks! I didn’t have any particular influence or reference, but it gives me a 90s R&B vibe listening back to it.
I hear a lot of rocksteady in your sound as well- were you influenced by that era of music at all?
Well, I guess I’ve been influenced by a lot of music in general. In the early 00s I was much into hip-hop and R&B, producing beats and listening to records, and in that way started picking up on 60s/70s records being sampled.
How many songs did you have to consider for Rêverie and what was the editing process like to get it down to the final batch?
Right after lockdown in 2020 I started doing my own music for the first time, with no thought of making an album, guess I made an idea every day for a couple of months.. When I got in touch with the nice people at big crown records I just sent a whole bunch, then we found what fit best together and then I finished it.
You play all the instruments on the album- if you decide to tour what would your ideal band setup be like?
Classic setup. Drums, Bass, lead guitar, keys and nd me playing rhythm guitar and singing.
Of all the instruments you play- what are the most challenging and what came the easiest and why?
It’s all challenging, but I find the bass easiest. You know, only 4 strings and I only play one string at a time.
Your parent’s record collection was a valuable influence on you- what five records in particular from growing up stuck with you the most in terms of musical DNA?
I can’t remember any particular record from my early childhood, but they played a lot of ’60/’70s music. Beach Boys, gospel, 60/70s melodic easy listening like Bacharach: I think that stuck with me in a way.
How much of American soul music is involved in the Norwegian culture vs other music? What other types of music do you hear a lot around you?
I’d say American Soul music is not that much involved in Norwegian culture. Some good acts, but no big scene. It’s hard to find Soul Records at record stores etc. People around me listen to indie, folk, Americana, and stuff like that.
What five albums of the modern era have been most musically influential to you and how big is your current record collection?
Well, that’s a difficult question, but released music that inspired me a lot in my youth:
1. D’angelo – Voodoo
2. Raphael Saadiq – Instant Vintage
3. Björk – Vespertine
4. Slum Village- Fantastic, Vol. 1
5. Radiohead – Kid A
Haven’t counted my record collection but I guess a couple of thousand.
You say you don’t have a soul voice but many would disagree- how would you tell someone to get their “soul” out when they don’t think they have that type of voice?
I guess it’s mostly about my self-confidence. I just started singing when making this album, never been a lead singer before. So Im pretty humble in that way. I would say just be honest and go for it. It’s probably a lot of people going around not knowing they can sing at all.
On a final note -Are you thinking about your next album already?
Absolutely..
