Beady Belle
is one of the freshest new sounds to come out of the left-of-field music underground of Norway. A collaboration between singer Beate Lech and bassist Marius Reksjo, Beady Belle's debut album *Home* is a sensuous mosaic of sound that draws on the vast libraries of jazz, pop, techno, drums n' bass and ambient to reveal the essence of Beate's stunning live performances yet manages to combine it with the deliberate strategies of her creative musicianship.

In 1999 Beate was asked by Bugge Wesseltoft to make a record for Jazzland rec. The company gave her the artistic freedom to make the recording she wanted. As the project progressed, Marius began to help out. He took care of the groove elements while Beate composed the melodies, harmonies and lyrics, with some exceptions both ways. The product of this work, done in their private surroundings, would be entitled 'Home'. The original project title 'Beate S. Lech' was abandoned. 'Beady Belle' was formed and the duo worked concretely for one and a half years producing their new record.

'Home' was released all over Europe and also in Japan, Korea and Canada during the summer 2001. Later it was also released in Australia. Beady Belle was given 'European Priority' by Universal International. After the release of the 'Home' album, Beady Belle travelled around the world performing their music.

The work with cd number 2 started the spring 2002 and was named 'CEWBEAGAPPIC' – the title was an attempt at describing Beady Belle’s music (Complex + Easy, White + Black, Electronic + Acoustic, Groovy + Ambient, Played + Programmed, Improvised + Composed).

Beady Belle’s third album, 'Closer', was released in 2005. Beate and Marius set off to fine-tune their creative output. Beate says, "We've tried to make an album that’s closer to the listener, for the most part taking away embellishments and emphasizing the essence of the music. The strings don’t have the purpose of being lushly arranged harmonies, but serve to bring the musical theme into the foreground. Even the sound of the strings are sharper, clearer. And one can hear the breath of the musicians."

In the three years since the 'Closer' release, the members of the band went through a number of changes. Perhaps the most personal being Beate becoming a mother, which influenced the direction of the newest album. Another big change was the addition of new band member, drummer Erik Holm.

Beady Belle have enjoyed the support and encouragement of some big international artists. In 2005 they performed as Jamie Cullum’s supporting act on a tour, and in 2006 they collaborated with India Arie on the funky duet 'Self-fulfilling' to be found on Beady Belle’s fourth album 'Belvedere'. The first single from that album was 'Intermission music' featuring Jamie Cullum.

After the release of this album, the band has toured many places in Europe and America, but the new thing is that thay also played all over Norway! Finally Beady Belle got a big Norwegian audience as well.

Beady Belle’s fifth album 'At Welding Bridge' was released September 2010. This album is a synthesis - or a welding - between the first three albums - on the one hand - and the fourth album - on the other. The majority of 'At Welding Bridge' takes many of the musical conventions of country music, sets up expectation of the predictable country course, only to jump sideways into a purely urban cool jazz style, or have that vibe dissipate in a smoky haze of smooth soul cool.

Beady Belle’s approach has been one of steadfast commitment to their sound, gradually evolving, coaxing new elements to blossom that had previously only been hinted at, augmenting it with new elements, creating a consistently strong body of music, each step more confident than the last. To compare this album with 'Home', it is easy to hear just how much ground they have covered in just 9 years. Just like its predecessors, 'At Welding Bridge' is shot through with genuine warmth, heart, and - yes! - soul. Pure soul! (Source: scandinaviansoul.com)