Post Description

Coptic Dub
CD/LP
NON27
Release Date: 20.11.2009



The Embassadors is a modern day jazz-fusion ensemble led by Hayden Chisholm, a reed player and producer who's collaborated extensively with label boss Burnt Friedman. Bringing together players from across the globe (as far-flung as New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Germany and Peru) the band's name starts to make some sense. The tone is very much in-keeping with Friedman's own material, but if anything there's even more of an emphasis placed on musical multiculturalism here. The standard of musicianship is massively impressive throughout, and when you read the contributing artists' CVs that's really no surprise: the line-up here have collectively worked with the likes of John Scofield, Pat Metheney and Madeleine Peyroux, with particular plaudits due to bassist Matt Penman, whose artful, expressive upright grooves really knit the whole record together. (Boomkat)


 

TRACKLISTING CD/LP:

1 Sierra Alone 5:59
2 Interlude 1:08
3 Iboga Dreamtime 8:24
4 Dagaz Eterna 5:32
5 Polar Sexus 5:01
6 Albino Maori Dub 6:15
7 Desdemona Breathes 3:04
8 Big Amen 6:18


Matt Penman: Upright Bass
Jochen Rueckert: Drums
Hayden Chisholm: Saxophone, Clarinet (5),
Hammond Organ, Steeldrum (4/5/6)
Bruno Mueller: Electric Guitar (tracks 1/4/5/8)
Robert Nacken: Electric Guitar (tracks 1/3/8)
Burnt Friedman: Korg Ms20 Synth., Sampler,
Effects, Steeldrum (tracks 2/7)
Claudio Bohórquez: Cello (tracks 2/7)

Produced by Hayden Chisholm and Burnt Friedman
Composed by H.Chisholm except tracks 2/6/7 by Chisholm/Friedman
Mixed and arranged by B.Friedman except Polar Sexus by Rashad Becker



There are no "solos" as such on this album, the grooves are steady and the developments take place not in the melodic voices but in the sounds themselves as they are worked on in the mix, drawing on the tradition of dub music. Most of the voices are processed and there is a great attention to detail in the sound. The pieces are given ample time to unfold though there is seldom any parts repeated without some variation. In other words, the aesthetic principles of this music have little to do with those of "jazz".

Enjoy.