Following the release of the debut solo album Propeller - I have been back in Sound Gallery Studios with the core band (Al Swainger, 05Ric & Duncan Chave) working furiously on Sketches for Alexandrine - the second album due for release in some format by the end of the year.
Collaboration with the sonic innovator and electronic music pioneer Richard Barbieri, of Japan and Porcupine Tree infamy and a new association with master Egyptian percussionist Hossam Ramzy (who worked with Peter Gabriel on 'The Last Temptation of Christ' as well as the solo album 'US'), has been a true inspiration and this union has lead to exploratory voyages into new and unchartered sonic territory - there are also unique contributions from Pedal Steel Guitarist, B J Cole who featured on Propeller and the sublime freeform Trumpets of Luca Calabrese add to the signature sound. Al Swainger has been developing his own brand of sonic bass loopage and sound sculpture to add to the mix and I am joined again on this album by 05Ric (Drums) who alongside Al Swainger (Bass) form the rhythm section to the album and the recent live shows.
This work has resulted in 12 tracks (and a few extras loitering with intent in the shadows).
In this series of posts I will be focussing on 5 tracks and featuring the accompanying musicians and artists, the concept and the process and development of the album….
FROZEN WATER (Sketches for Alexandrine) - preview
FROZEN WATER - A track that was conceived a while back and based on a demo recorded at Swanston House, a dilapidated Georgian Mansion that was my musical home for many years. Working on this track with Richard Barbieri has been a true honour - his ability to manipulate, develop and process sound is a unique talent, equalled only by his ability to put the right note in the right space at the right time - a true master. After some discussion over the mood of this piece we began tracking and his contributions have been cool, emotive but calculated. Capturing a suspended stateless mood was important and his work on the intro and outro (especially) are integral and inspiring.
There is a retro feel to the track with the addition of horns and pulsing Fender Rhodes piano that conjure a warped Brian Wilson-esque vibe - the wonderfully creative freeform Trumpets of Luca Calabrese compliment the soundscape but transport the music into a quite different and fluid space.
I worked with Luca on Propeller and fell in love completely with his feel and his talent - a year later I met up with the man in Halmstad in Sweden and had the privilege to sing some backing with Steve Hogarth (Marillion) and Richard Barbieri alongside Luca, Julie Slick, David Torn and a wonderful cast of musicians at The IB Expo 2013. Luca is a great musician and his playing and the FX and treatments that he employs totally do it for me - he also happens to be a thoroughly lovely bloke (and a great cook).
The full track is a full 9 minutes long currently (and will most likely remain this length) destined yet again not to be a mainstream pop classic exploited by radio 1 but hopefully championed with any luck again by the likes of Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music (who I know is a fan of Barbieri and who played the Highly Strung Remix on his radio show).
More soon on the formation of Alexandrine, further live dates and exclusive releases….
Thank you for listening and allowing me to be myself again! GRICE
