Mixtape #134

A new year is upon us and what better way to set the mood than with a mixtape curated by the brilliant and imaginative Matthias Lindermayr. Whether you know his work with German jazz group Fazer, his collaborations with artists like Carlos Cipa, or his own beguiling solo works, Lindermayr is one of Germany’s leading jazz trumpet players. Crossing the borders between composition and improvisation, his magnificent third album Triptych has completely enthralled us and is one of our Album Picks of 2021. Needless to say, we're ecstatic to unveil this stunning mix that perfectly encapsulates the spectrum of influences at play in the album, from jazz to classical to contemporary music. Press play already!

  1. Girls in Airport – Stonehouse [Kaja Records]
  2. Peter Evans & Levy Lorenzo – Axis [More is More Records]
  3. Roberto Oyarzun Susnar – Ligeti Etude VII [Chancacazo]
  4. Christian Wallumrod Ensemble – Danszaal [Hubro]
  5. Bill Frisell [with Dave Holland & Elvin Jones] – Twenty Years [Nonesuch Records]
  6. Arve Henriksen – Acceptance [ArveMusic]
  7. Koma Saxo – Fanfarum for Komarum II [We Jazz Records]
  8. Portico Quartet – Line [Real World]
  9. Tigran Hamasyan – Etude No. 1 [Nonesuch Records]
  10. Mark Hollis – The daily Planet [Polydor Records]
  11. Mathias Eick – Children [ECM]
  12. Makaya McCraven – Inner Flight [International Anthem]
  13. Cuong Vu – Vina’s Lullaby [Knitting Factory]

Portico Quartet detail new album, Monument, and share first single ‘Impressions’

Portico Quartet are on a roll this year. Following the release of Terrain back in May, the outfit of Duncan Bellamy and Jack Wyllie have announced the release of a new album titled Monument. Both albums were recorded at the same sessions but whereas Terrain reflects a darker time as the pandemic swept the globe, the upcoming album looks ahead in an optimistic way. Speaking about Monument, Wyllie comments:

“It’s possibly our most direct album to date. It’s melodic, structured and there’s an economy to it that is very efficient. There’s not much searching or wastage within the music itself, it is all finalised ideas, precisely sculpted and presented as a polished artefact.”

Bellamy continues:

“Monument sits somewhere between our albums Portico Quartet and Art in the Age of Automation. It has perhaps a more overtly electronic edge to its sound – there are more synthesisers and electronic elements than we have used before and the music is often streamlined and rhythmic”.

Monument will see the light of day on November 12th through Gondwana Records and ahead of it, they’ve shared the first stunning and shimmering single, ‘Impressions’. Take a listen below.

Portico Quartet set to release new album, Terrain, next month

Photo: Hannah Collins

Portico Quartet have a new album on the way entitled Terrain. Consisting of a three-part suite, in addition to their own musical language, the album sees them explore a new sonic terrain drawing on American minimalism and ambient. Terrain is reportedly closer to previous works like Line and Shed Song (Isla/2009), Rubidium (Portico Quartet/2012) and Immediately Visible (Memory Streams/2019), as the bands’s saxophonist Jack Wyllie explains:

“We’ve always had this side of the band in some form. The core of it is having a repeated pattern, around which other parts move in and out, and start to form a narrative. We used to do longer improvisations not dissimilar to this around the time of our second record Isla. On ‘Terrain’ we’ve really dug into it and explored that form. I suppose there are obvious influences such as American minimalism, but I was particularly inspired by the work of Japanese composer Midori Takada. Her approach, particularly on ‘Through the Looking Glass’, where she moves through different worlds incorporating elements of minimalism with non-Western instruments and melodies were at the front of my mind when writing this music”.

Speaking about the recording, drummer Duncan Bellamy stated that it “felt a bricolage of conflicting, shifting signs, subtle tension and multiple narratives. Andrei Tarkovsky’s ‘Mirror’ and British artist John Akomfrah’s incredible ‘Handsworth Songs’ were pivotal points of reference for me.”

Terrain is set for release on May 28th through Gondwana Records and ahead of it they have shared the sublime ‘Terrain II’. Take a listen below.

Mixtape #124

Quest Ensemble conquered our ears with their mesmerising and cinematic sound, pushing the boundaries of contemporary classical music by blending in elements of jazz and trad using improvisational techniques. Made up of Filipe Sousa (piano), Tara Franks (cello) and Preetha Narayanan (violin), the three Guildhall School of Music graduates have been performing and composing together for over 10 years. Participating in a slew of projects, from music education to commissions for dance and the visual arts, Quest Ensemble have also released two magnificent albums, 2014’s Footfall and last year’s The Other Side. So we're thrilled to start March with a stunning mix of tracks picked by the band, opening a window onto their musical world.

  1. Portico Quartet – Window Seat 00:00 [Real World Records / Society of Sound Music]
  2. Steve Reich, Daniel Hope, Simos Papanas, Kammerorchester Basel – Duet [Deutsche Grammophon] 03:14
  3. Punch Brothers – Passepied (Debussy) [Nonesuch] 07:59
  4. David Lang, Hilary Hahn, Cory Smythe 11.27
  5. Chris Gall, Bernhard Schimplesberger – New Life [GLM Music] 14:17
  6. Firefly Burning – Pioneer [Firefly Burning Records] 17:18
  7. Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin – Even For Me (Live) [GRP] 22.19
  8. Nik Bärtsch – Modul 4 25:26
  9. Fofoulah – Fighting Chance [Glitterbeat] 30.34
  10. Donnacha Dennehy, Nadia Sirota, Liam Byrne – Tessellatum – Part 1 [Bedroom Community] 32:20
  11. Fred Thomas – Fall, Leaves, Fall 35:01
  12. Tigran Hamasyan – Lilac [Nonesuch] 41.07
  13. Caroline Shaw – Limestone & Felt [Nonesuch / New Amsterdam Records] 45:10
  14. A Winged Victory fot the Sullen – Atomos VIII [Erased Tapes] 51:19
  15. Eric Whitacre, Eric Whitacre Singers – Sleep [Decca] 56:07
  16. Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou – Mother’s Love [Buda Musique] 61:36

Mixtape #42

When we first posted about the imaginative and enchantingly talented British composer and musician Poppy Ackroyd, we never dreamt she would one day get involved with our monthly mixtape. Since then, she released an outstanding debut album, Escapement, where she explores and experiments with the piano and the violin, mirroring her intricate relationship with the two instruments. Also, our dream came true and this month she picked and mixed seventeen stunning tracks, for your ears to indulge on.

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